By Evelyn Usman
A suspected member of a robbery gang that specialised in car snatching was yesterday shot dead during a gun battle with policemen attached to Ojodu division, Lagos.

Report said a two-man robbery gang was operating along Odozi Street in Ojodu area of Lagos, where they snatched a Honda Accord car from its owner.

Luck, however, ran against them as a Police patrol team from Ojodu reportedly gave them a chase, resulting in a gun duel, during which one of the suspects was gunned down. His partner in crime was said to have abandoned the stolen vehicle with number plate ES 146 ABC, when it became apparent that the police were gaining the upper hand.

Two locally-made pistols and 23 live cartridges, according to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba , were recovered  at the scene .

Meanwhile, a suspected member of an eight-man gang was at the early hours of yesterday beaten to death in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The robbers were said to have stormed one of the buildings in Ilesan Housing Estate, where they reported dispossessed their victims of valuables and cash. However, on their way out with their loot, an alarm was raised which alerted some vigilante and other residents, who gave the bandits a chase. Unfortunately for one of the bandits, he was caught and beaten to a pulp.