In Lagos 11 armed robbery gang members killed in police shootout

Capturing the suspected criminals was a joint effort of policemen from the Lagos State police command, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Army and policemen from Benin Republic.

Capturing the suspected criminals was a joint effort of policemen from the Lagos State police command, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Army and policemen from Benin Republic.

The last day on earth came for eleven members of a notorious armed robbery gang who specializes in breaking oil pipelines, robbing banks and Bureau de change operators in Lagos and neighbouring States.  

According to National Mirror, capturing the suspected criminals was a joint effort of policemen from the Lagos State police command, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Army and policemen from Benin Republic.  

While addressing the press the Inspector General of police IGPSolomon Arase disclosed that:

“Series of intelligence reports have been shared by the office of the Inspector-General of Police with the Lagos State Police Command and Border patrol Unit of the Force, alerting of the likelihood of massive and violent attacks on banks and bureau-de-change at Lagos and Republic of Benin Border at Seme. The report indicated that the attack will be led by a notorious armed robber/ kidnapper by the name Tokiwe Joseph popularly known as TK. On 16th March, 2016, the notorious gang in confirmation of the veracity of intelligence reports emerged from his Base and navigated the waterways in three boats towards Seme.At about 2300 hours, the gang in a commando way came out of their boats with a view to advancing for the attack. They opened fire indiscriminately as they advanced.

"The Security Forces consisting of the Police, Customs and the Military who had been keeping vigil at the waterfront swiftly responded and repelled the attack. In the same vein, the security operatives of the Republic of Benin also joined forces with their Nigerian counterparts to present a unified and fortified front against the hoodlums. The gang consequently surrendered to the superior fire power of the security forces, abandoned the boats and fled in different directions”

“ Intelligence had revealed that TK at a time led a gang to hijack a vessel on the waterways of Ghana. Intelligence had also revealed that he has his Base in a creek situated somewhere in Ijagemoin AmuwoOdofin LGA of Lagos State. Recent intelligence reports indicated the certainty of when the dastardly act will be carried out. The veracity of the intelligence therefore necessitated that the security operatives of Nigeria and Benin Republic were in constant surveillance of our waterways, Banks, Financial Institutions as well as vulnerable and key points. Immediate manhunt was activated with a view to apprehending the fleeing hoodlums suspected to have suffered severe injuries”  he added.

The corpse of the 11 gang member who met their waterloo have been deposited in a mortuary, while further investigation is still on to apprehend other members of the gang.