Some of the items recovered from the suspected bandits
Residents of Elebe Village, near Aleniboro via Irawo Mine, heaved a sigh of relief after operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, in collaboration with Agbekoya Movement and local hunters, foiled a planned bandit attack.
The security operatives neutralised two armed suspects during a fierce gun battle, while others fled with suspected gunshot injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the development on Monday, describing the operation as a major breakthrough driven by intelligence-led policing and swift tactical response aimed at safeguarding vulnerable rural communities.
According to him, the operation was triggered by credible intelligence from a concerned citizen, who alerted security operatives to the presence of about 10 heavily armed Fulani men hiding in a farm settlement in the village.
The suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and locally fabricated pistols, and were allegedly overheard planning to launch a violent attack on the community under the cover of darkness.
Olayinka explained that upon receiving the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer in Tede promptly briefed the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, who immediately ordered the deployment of additional operational personnel and logistics to neutralise the threat.
Police operatives, working with members of the Agbekoya/local hunters’ group in Aleniboro, quickly stormed the identified hideout.
On sighting the advancing security team, the bandits reportedly opened fire, triggering a gun duel.
During the exchange, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others escaped into the bush with suspected bullet wounds.
Olayinka stated further that reinforcement teams later launched extensive combing operations across nearby forests to track down the fleeing suspects.
Security operatives recovered several items at the scene, including a cut-to-size locally made pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 shells fired by the suspects, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, two Tecno button phones and a bottle containing a suspected mixed drink.
The police said the area has since been secured, while surveillance and bush-combing operations are ongoing to eliminate any residual threat to the community and neighbouring settlements.
The Commissioner of Police also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for providing strategic leadership, operational support and logistics that have strengthened the command’s ability to tackle security threats.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial in the fight against criminality across the state.