A trader has been killed after armed robbers invaded the Tarmac phone market in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, said one of the armed robbers has been arrested.

Oyeyemi stated that the police repelled the armed robbers who invaded the Tarmac phone market located at the Oke Ilewo area of Abeokuta on Wednesday, April 12.

He said seven of the armed robbers escaped, adding that a manhunt to apprehend the assailants has commenced.

The police spokesperson noted that the robbers, numbering about eight, stormed the market at about 5:30 p.m., shooting sporadically and dispossessing traders of expensive phones.

Oyeyemi said the robbers were forced to run by the combined firepower of the police and Amotekun Corps, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ibara Division, CSP Abayomi Adeniji.

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”On sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in gun battle but due to the superior firepower of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.

”They were hotly chased and with the assistance of the market men, one of the robbers later identified as Adeniji Sakiru, 32, was apprehended.

“Unfortunately, one Dayo Bankole, a trader in the market, who was shot by the robbers gave up the ghost while receiving treatment at General Hospital Ijaye, Abeokuta,” he said.

The police spokesman stated that
one double barrel locally made gun and charms were recovered from the suspect.

He added that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

Oyeyemi said Mba also ordered a massive manhunt to arrest the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.

The Star