It was another failed attempt at apprehending a notorious leader of the Aiye cult group on Monday 25 July 2022, even though he was said to have sustained gunshot injuries.
The evasive gang leader, Ben, who allegedly has over five criminal records of killings hanging on his neck, managed to escape police arrest during a swoop on the group in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Ben had on Monday, 25 July 2022, convened a nocturnal meeting of his members at a venue close to Ogun Radio in the Mile 2 area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta, for yet another vicious attack when SWAT operatives, acting on an intelligent report, busted the venue and nabbed three members of the criminal gang while the most wanted arrowhead, Ben, escaped.
The apprehension of the suspects was, however, not easily achieved as the hoodlums engaged the operatives in a hot exchange of firearms, the Ogun Police Command said.
Currently in the state police custody, according to DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, are Jonathan Oshinalu; Kola Bolugbe and Jimoh Aliu (a.k.a Alaayan).
Oyeyemi stated that the gang had been terrorising the metropolis over time, resulting in a massive manhunt for them, until Monday, when SWAT operatives gathered, through Intelligence, that had converged at the said venue for a meeting.
“Upon the report, the SWAT team, in conjunction with men of Lafenwa and Ilupeju divisions moved to the area. On sighting the policemen, Ben and his deadly group engaged them in a gun battle that lasted for about 30 minutes.
“At the end of the encounter, the said Ben escaped with bullet wounds while three amongst them were apprehended”, the PPRO said.
He further stated that a patrol vehicle attached to Lafenwa Police Division was destroyed in the attack before being subdued by the superior firepower of the police.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that an unregistered Lexus 330 car, being the gang’s operational vehicle, was recovered by the SWAT, the statement added.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, has ordered a massive manhunt for the escaped gang leader and other members of the group, even as he called for a discreet investigation into the activities of the arrested hoodlums, to arraign them in court as soon as possible.