Fleeing robbers kill DPO in Lagos!

The Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Alakuko in Lagos State, Joseph Olatomokunm, was yesterday shot dead by a gang of armed robbers who were escaping with stolen vehicles.  Two other members of his team who were injured during the attack are said to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed  private hospital.

His death brings to three the number of policemen killed in Lagos State by rampaging armed robbers in the past 48 hours.

Police sources said the Police officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, was killed at Targent/Gulf pin-down point along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway around 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, after he received a radio message that some armed robbers were escaping with stolen vehicles through the expressway.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer swiftly swung into action after he got the radio message and mobilised his men to the pin-down point with a view to intercepting the fleeing robbers.

Vanguard learnt that when the robbers who were in about four stolen vehicles got to the point, they engaged the policemen led by the DPO in a gun battle which lasted for hours. Eyewitnesses said the DPO was shot in the scrotum during the exchange of fire and his men rushed him to hospital where he died later.

Two other members of the police team who received gun shot injuries were also rushed to an undisclosed hospital where they are said to be responding to treatment.

The fleeing armed robbers were said to be jubilating at their victory after they saw that the police team had withdrawn for them to have easy passage.

Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Samuel Jinadu who confirmed the attack and subsequent death of the police officer said a crack team of anti-robbery policemen are combing everywhere in search of the fleeing armed robbers.  He also assured that they would soon be rounded up.

It will be recalled that 48 hours before this incident, two police officers were also killed by a four-man robbery gang during an exchange of gun fire along Agege Motor road in Mushin, Lagos State.  The police officers were also killed at a pin-down point after the robbers who earlier dispossessed their victims of their valuables in Mushin area of the state engaged them in a gun duel.

Later the same day, the Assistant Cyberlife Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Emeka Aginam was also attacked by another gang of armed robbers along the popular Unity Road, off Toyin Street in Ikeja around 10pm.  His Toyota 4Runner Jeep and other valuables including Vanguard identity card and a Lufthansa mileage card were snatched from him.  The Jeep was later recovered at Alapere area of the state.

Source:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/fleeing-robbers-kill-dpo-in-lagos/

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