The Police in Edo state says they have arrested an armed robbery suspect from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state, who with his gang lay siege on the Benin Lagos bypass by Ute community, to rob motorists and residents of their properties.
According to the Edo State police public relations officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, a distress call to the District Police Officer of Egba division of the command, led to a gun duel with the robbers, where one of the gangs, twenty-five-year-old Ahmed Lawal was shot and sustained a serious bullet wound on his leg.
He was subsequently arrested and a toy gun made of wood and a plastic tube fashioned like a bullet was found in his possession while other members of the gang escaped.
While giving account of his involvement in the robbery, through an interpreter, the suspect Ahmed Lawal said that he arrived Benin City about three days ago on the invitation of his friends to work as a farm hand but they decided on Saturday to rob motorists on the Ute axis of the Benin Lagos bye pass.
The Edo police image maker however says efforts are ongoing towards arresting the other members of the gang.
The Benin Lagos Bypass in recent time has been a hot spot for armed robbery and kidnappings of motorists plying the road.
Editor: Tunde Orebiyi