One killed as bandits invade Ogun Gov’s office

After a lull in their nefarious activities, armed robbers on Friday renewed their activities in Ogun State and took their battle to the state’s seat of power in Abeokuta.

A four-man robbery gang invaded the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, and attempted to steal a Toyota Camry car with registration number Ogun AKM 146 AA.

The vehicle was parked behind the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which is located near the Governor’s Office in the state secretariat.

It was learnt that the robbers struck around 9.40 am in a black Nissan Quest car with an Abuja number plate BK 944 RSH.

But in their attempt to steal the car, the vehicle’s security system triggered off.

The development attracted the attention of the car owner – a civil servant – who consequently raised the alarm and alerted other workers within the premises of the ministry.

Sensing danger, the robbers made a desperate move to escape from the scene and drove towards the main gate of the secretariat.

The suspects rammed their vehicle through the gate but a policeman, who was said to have laid in ambush, shot one of the robbers in the thigh.

The robbers were said to have abandoned their vehicle and fled into the bush opposite the complex.

It was, however, learnt that a reinforcement team of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which joined in chasing the bandits, killed one of them.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who incidentally was in his office when the robbers struck, expressed surprise at the effrontery of the men of the underworld.

He lauded the gallantry of the security operatives in foiling the robbery and restated the commitment of his administration towards improving the security situation in the state.

“This is part of what we met on ground. I told you before that to buy guns in Ogun State is easier than to buy water or a bottle of Coca-cola and that is the example of what we have seen. Imagine if people now have the effrontery to come into the secretariat; it is unheard of,” Amosun said.

The Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkemdeme, said the command had already launched an investigation into the incident.

“This is one of the most embarrassing situations I have ever met; for armed robbers to enter the Government House. I don’t know what they wanted and I am very happy that my boys gave them what they wanted,” he said.