On 21st May, 2023, in the midnight, the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer, Igando received a distress call from members of the public touching on an ongoing armed robbery around a property at Igando.
Though Ugochukwu Onyenuforo, 30, Ramon Ogundele, 32, Yaro Ndudu, 25 and Abiodun Usman, 30 – the suspected robbers were four in number, they alledgedly unleashed terror on residents around the Igando area of Lagos.
But Officers attached to the Lagos State Police Command led by the Igando Divisional Police Officer, DPO, CSP Ekehinde Ohiomba with a team of Police officers braved the odds to confront them.
Speaking at a special commendation ceremony, the Police Commissioner, Idowu Owohunwa acknowledged their operational feat, describing it as exceptional act of dedication, courage, sacrifice, and commitment of the police officers.
On the day that the four armed men alledgedly invaded a beer parlour in Igando, they had earlier robbed two vehicles and got another getaway vehicle with which they moved to Igando, on their way they robbed another vehicle and thereafter decided on a beer parlour and started robbing citizens around the facility.
But a distress call from members of the public gave them all out.
As soon as information was passed by well meaning citizens, the DPO at that hour of the night mobilised his patrol team, condoned the area and engaged the armed robbers and successfully arrested them, the CP said.
The police stated that following their arrest, three weapons were recovered from them such as three cut-to-size locally made guns, 10 live ammunition, two knives, adding that when they were searched, a total of 21 mobile phones of various kind were found in their possession which they had already robbed from the citizens.
Two vehicles with which they undertook the operations, two international passports and one wristwatch, four cartier glasses and a plyer were recovered from them.
According to CP, four vehicles linked to the robbery have been recovered from the suspects, which were displayed as exhibits by the Police spokesperson, SP. Benjamin Hundeyin at the parade of suspects.
Meanwhile, the CP, in commending the officers who arrested the hoodlums said, “Within the context of policing, this act of the DPO and the officers in risking their lives to confront the armed robbers at that hour of the night showed exceptional act of dedication, courage, sacrifice, commitment of the Lagos State Police Command to always respond to such situations regardless of the hour of the night and risk involve. Within the context of Force Order 68 of the Nigeria Police, their demonstration of gallantry merits special commendation. And today I have decided to commend their efforts and recognise their gallantry and meritorious application to duty.
The award is not about issuance of certificates but it came along with monetary commendation in line with Force Order 68.
Recipients of the award include the Igando DPO, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Ekehinde Ohiomba, CSP Nureni Usman, Inspector Olukayode Benson, Inspector Stephen, Inspector Owoju David, Inspector Bright Ogbede, Inspector Emelem Peter, and Inspector Martins Ankwa.
An elated CSP Ekehinde Ohiomba, said the commendation he and his team received is good.
He said, “We are very happy, it is a moral booster for the first time seeing a CP giving such award and money. Other policemen should emulate us so that they can equally get whatever we received today.”
