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Pandemonium broke out at Aba Tuntun village, Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu -North Local Government Area of Ogun State when some villagers waylaid policemen, abducted four and shot the Divisioner Police Officer (DPO).
The Punch reported that trouble started after a team of policemen disarmed some hoodlums, following a complaint by the village head that some hoodlums were in possession of firearms.
It was gathered that the Baale had earlier petitioned the police, complaining that some people within his community were in possession of firearms, which they are using to terrorise the villagers.
After receiving the petition, the police swung into action by conducting a raid with 15 officers and 35 local vigilantes on Thursday.
Six single-barrel guns; 16 dane guns, and 16 cartridges were recovered from the hoodlums, who were arrested by the police after the raid.
But the remaining hoodlums ambushed the security operatives, and attacked them as they were leaving the community.
They reportedly fired gunshots at the police and attacked them with other dangerous weapons.
It was gathered that the DPO that led the team was shot in the arm while others sustained various gunshot injuries.
A source in the village said that four officers and three vigilantes were kidnapped by the hoodlums who also went away with two AK-47 rifles; one pump action; one teargas; money, and other items belonging to the security operatives.
The source added that the hoodlums that had earlier been arrested were set free during the attack on the security men while two vehicles belonging to the police were damaged by the hoodlums.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, said that three of the four abducted officers have been rescued.
He disclosed that one Constable Emmanuel Gene is still being held captive by the hoodlums.
Oyeyemi further stated that the police had mobilised men to the area in order to rescue the missing constable.
”The incident happened. The village head had petitioned the Police that some hoodlums are in possession of dangerous weapons in the village.
“The DPO led his team to the place with vigilantes and recovered six single-barrel guns, 16 dane guns, 16 cartridges and arrested the suspects.
“While taking the suspects and the weapons to the station some hoodlums ambushed them and abducted four policemen.
“They shot the DPO in the arm and freed the suspects.
“We have rescued three of the policemen abducted, we don’t know the whereabouts of the constable among them,” Oyeyemi said.
The police spokesperson added that three suspects have been arrested, and they are helping the police in the investigation.