By Ifeanyi Okolie
LAGOS — Four suspected robbers, said to be members of a gang that has been terrorizing Lagos and its environ for long, were yesterday killed during a shoot-out with operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, at the Airport Hotel axis of Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

Vanguard gathered that the robbers, who  were eight in number,  armed with AK-47 rifles, pump action guns and locally made pistols, met their Waterloo when they attempted to rob a businessman, who was a guest at a popular hotel.

Sources disclosed that the businessman, whose identity is yet to be unravelled, was said to have bought a large amount of dollars from a bureau de change within the area.

A source, who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the robbers who were operating in a bus painted in Lagos commercial  colour, disguised as policemen on patrol and stationed themselves at Johnson Street, opposite the hotel  as they waited for the appropriate time to strike.

According to the source, operatives of SARS,  led by SP Abba Kyari, received an intelligence report on the robbers activities and two teams of operatives were deployed to the scene.

The source added that an exchange of gunfire ensued between the operatives and robbers and four of the bandits were gunned down, one arrested while three others escaped.

Four AK-47 loaded magazines, two locally-made pistols with six expended and 19 live catridges were recovered from the gang with their operational vehicle, an un-registered Volkswagen bus in Lagos commercial colour.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lelma Kolle, who confirmed the incident said efforts were in top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects using information obtained from their gang member that was arrested.