By; Raymond Tedunjaye, Lagos.
Armed Robbers who attempted attacking some banks and Bureau-De-Change centres at Seme border area of Lagos met their waterloo, as no fewer than 11 out of the 17-man gang were killed in a gun battle with security operatives.
The security operatives which consist of Police attached to the Federal Special Anti- Robbery Squad, Lagos Command, Soldiers attached to Operation Mesa, Nigeria Custom Service, Seme Border Patrol Team and Security Forces from Republic of Benin, engaged the bandits in a serious gun duel as they proceeded to attack the financial houses in a broad day light last Thursday.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Owoseni who made the disclosure during a press briefing at the weekend, said the armed robbers were members of the notorious armed gang that were responsible for major bank robberies, kidnappings, abductions, and oil pipeline vandalism in the South- West area of the country.
Armed to the teeth with different kind of sophisticated weaponry, Owoseni said the hoodlums numbering 17 were led by a notorious armed robber identified as Tokwei Joseph (a.k.a TK), who was also killed in the cross fire.
Intelligence report according to the Police boss revealed that Tokwei Joseph can be likened to a field marshal, adding that he commands different gang groups which include kidnapping, robbery, cultism and vandalism and also having his foot print in all violent crimes that have occurred in Lagos, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states.
Owoseni also said the deceased armed robber, who had his gangs at Ishawo, Ijagemo, Ishashi, Arepo in Lagos and Ogun states, according to intelligence report, had led a gang to attack a ship on Ghana waterway.
He disclosed that the armed robbers on the day of the incident had arrived through the waterway in Seme area in three boats and shot indiscriminately as they proceeded to carry out their devilish act.
Owoseni said the combined security operatives had laid ambushed for the bandits following intelligence report that they had planned to attack the money houses and on sighting them responded swiftly and repelled them.
“In confirmation of the report, they emerged from their base and navigated to Seme, came out from the boat and opened fire as they advanced to the planned point. Operatives of OP Mesa, Custom, Police and security forces from Benin Republic joined the Nigeria forced and forced the gang to surrender to the superior gun power of the forces” The Police Commissioner explained.
While 11 bodies of the deceased armed robbers had been recovered, Owoseni said three others were believed to be submerged in the river and may soon be recovered, while efforts are on to arrest the fleeing ones.
The Police boss also disclosed that three boats with one inscribed Castina Marine, 22 pieces of dynamites and chunks of explosives, 6 AK 47 riffles, two general purpose machine gun, 3,670 assorted live ammunitions, 28 empty magazines, 8 live jackets, 3 by 50 litres jerry can of fuels, 2 by 100 litres jerry can of fuel, one military magazine jacket and assorted charms were recovered from the bandits.
The Police Commissioner also used the occasion to commend traditional leaders and residents of the area for their cooperation and assistance, just as he pointed out that the public has a role to play in the task of battling crime and ensuring safety of the society by giving information on the activities of criminal elements in the society.
