Nigerian  police have shot dead a suspected member of an armed robbery gang that shot and injured a former Divisional Police Officer at Ogbere, Mr Adeyinka Akingbade.

According to Ogun State police spokesman, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the unidentified bandit was shot dead during an encounter with policemen at Ijebu Ife on Christmas Day.

A statement received from Oyeyemi, by NewsmakersNG, says: “The suspect who escaped arrest and fled to Delta State, after shooting the DPO, has been on the wanted list and the command has been on his trail since then.

“Luck, however, ran against him on Christmas Day when police operatives received information that he was sighted in a beer parlour at Itawade area of Ijebu Ife. Upon the information, the policemen swiftly moved to the place; but before getting there, he had left the place. He was however traced to his in-law’s house where the police operatives caught up with him. Having realized that the game was up, he brought out a pistol and started firing at the policemen. The operatives were left with no other alternative than to fire back consequence upon which he was shot dead.

“Recovered from him are a locally made pistol, a machete, assorted charms and a Toyota Highlander with two different registration numbers.

“It will be recalled that the former DPO Ogbere was shot and seriously injured by the gang during one of their robbery operations at Itele-Ijebu, where the DPO has gone to engage them in gun battle. The injured officer is still recuperating in the hospital till date.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Ahmed Iliyasu has commended the resilience of his men in making sure that the last member of the gang was finally brought down.

He said that the killing was a warning signal to any would be criminal that no crime committed in Ogun State would go undetected.