The Oyo State Police Command has thwarted a planned armed attack on Elebe Village in Atisbo Local Government Area, neutralising two suspected bandits during a gun battle with security operatives.
Police authorities said the operation followed intelligence indicating that a group of armed men had positioned themselves near the settlement with plans to strike under cover of darkness.
In a statement issued in Ibadan, the command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, explained that the tip-off came from a concerned citizen who alerted officers to suspicious armed individuals hiding within a farm area.
Security teams were immediately mobilised after the Divisional Police Officer briefed the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, who authorised rapid reinforcement to contain the threat.
According to the police, operatives working alongside local hunters advanced on the hideout, prompting the suspects to open fire and leading to an exchange of gunshots in which two of the attackers were killed while others escaped with injuries.
A follow-up search of the surrounding bush reportedly led to the recovery of locally made firearms, ammunition shells, suspected illicit substances, mobile phones, and other items believed to be linked to the suspects.
Authorities confirmed that the affected area has since been secured, with ongoing surveillance and bush-combing operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and preventing further threats to nearby communities.
The police leadership also acknowledged support from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noting that enhanced logistics and coordination contributed to the success of the mission.
Meanwhile, the command appealed to residents to sustain cooperation with law enforcement by promptly reporting suspicious activities, stressing that community intelligence remains vital to crime prevention efforts.
