Suspected armed robbers, on Wednesday, stormed the phone market, otherwise known as Computer village in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killing one of the traders.
It was gathered that the eight-man gang invaded the market where phones and accessories are being sold and repaired at Okelewo area of the State capital.
In broad daylight, they fired gunshots, causing people to scamper for safety.
Eyewitnesses also suspected that the gunmen might be members of a cult group trailing their rival.
However, the traders later summoned courage to go after their attackers and got one of them arrested.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated that the police “successfully repelled the armed robbery gang.”
Oyeyemi disclosed on Thursday morning that “the armed robbery gang stormed the market at about 5:30 p.m, started shooting sporadically and cartering away expensive phones.”
He disclosed that a distress call was made to the police at Ibara division and the DPO of Ibara division, CSP Abayomi Adeniji, immediately mobilized his anti-robbery and surveillance teams, in collaboration with men of an the Amotekun corps to the scene.
On sighting the policemen, the police spokesman hinted that the robbers engaged them in a gun battle, “but due to the superior fire power of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.”
He said that the robbers were chased, and with the support of the market men, one of them, who was later identified as Adeniji Sakiru (32 years) old, was apprehended.
Confirming that one of the traders was killed, Oyeyemi added that “unfortunately, one Dayo Bankole, a trader in the market, who was shot by the robbers gave up the ghost while receiving treatment at the General Hospital Ijaye Abeokuta.”
He told newsmen that one double-barrelled local gun and “assorted criminal charms” were recovered from the arrested suspect.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has directed the transfer of the suspect to the State CIID for discreet investigation.
The police boss, AIG Frank Mba, also ordered that the remaining members of the gang be hunted and brought to justice.
He appealed to hospitals to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injury was seen.
