Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have killed two of ten suspected armed Fulani bandits hiding in a farm settlement in Elebe village, Aleniboro, in preparation for an attack on the community.

The command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement on Monday that the rest of the suspected bandits, after engaging in a gun duel with the operatives who were collaborating with members of the Agbekoya local hunters, escaped with bullet wounds.

“In a remarkable display of operational prowess, proactive policing strategy, and intelligence-driven crime prevention, the command has successfully foiled a planned attack on Elebe village, Aleniboro, via Irawo Mine. 

“The breakthrough followed credible information provided by a good Samaritan at the station, alerting security operatives to the presence of about ten (10) armed Fulani men who had concealed themselves at a farm settlement within Elebe village with plans to attack the community under the cover of darkness. 

“The suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barreled guns, and cut-to-size locally made pistols, while openly discussing their intention to unleash violence on the village,” Mr Ayanlade explained.

He said the Tede Divisional Police Officer immediately informed the state’s police commissioner, CP Femi Haruna, who ordered the deployment of assets for the operation.

“Policemen, in collaboration with members of the Agbekoya/local hunters at Aleniboro, swiftly mobilised to the identified hideout. On sighting the advancing security operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. In the course of the exchange, two of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” Mr Ayanlade said.

Mr Ayanlade stated that a reinforcement patrol team later combed the surrounding bush, where they recovered a locally made pistol, an empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells, weed suspected to be Indian hemp, two Tecno button phones, and a bottle containing a substance suspected to be a mixed drink.

He said the area had since been secured, as operatives continue bush combing and surveillance operations to apprehend fleeing suspects.