By Gbenga Akinwunmi

ABEOKUTA — Fear gripped banks and residents of Abeokuta yesterday as robbers engaged men of the Ogun State Police Command in a gun duel after which sophisticated weapons were recovered from the bandits.

The robbers were said to have killed three policemen between Ibadan and Abeokuta as they approached the Ogun State command headquarters, Eleweran, which was along the road around 1.30p.m.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said one of the suspected robbers was arrested while dangerous weapons were recovered from the robbers who engaged them in a gun duel that lasted over one hour.

The weapons included one machine gun with bullet chain, five bombs and two launchers, five dynamites, 115 loaded guns, and 145 expended ammunition amongst others.

Adejobi explained that the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Daura, who received a signal from his Oyo State counterpart, directed his command to mount a road block against the robbers in front of Eleweran .

Adejobi said, “we got a signal that some robbers were on their way to Abeokuta from Ibadan. So, the Commissioner of Police  directed that his escorts, the mobile policemen should block the road. But while we were doing that in front of the gate of the command, we noticed a Hyundai car, coming from Odeda side, and driving dangerously.