Mr. Mubarak Olanrewaju Sulaiman, one of the victims of Thursday’s robbery in the Idi-Ape neighborhood of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, has been buried amidst tears.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the deceased was buried in line with Islamic rites at a Muslim cemetery in Akinyele, Ibadan, on Thursday night.
His identity was revealed by some of his close associates and friends during chats with newsmen.
Two policemen were said to have been killed during the incident. He was buried after his body was released at the University College Hospital (UCH) where he was moved shortly after the incident.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Mr. Sulaiman met his untimely death while heading home from a journey.
The deceased, who was described as an “onlooker” by the state police command, was driving his car along the Iwo Road – Idi-Ape Road.
Contrary to police claim that the deceased was an onlooker, it was gathered that the deceased was on his way to his Ajibode residence along with one of his children when he met his untimely death.
It was gathered that the 37-year old man was coming from Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, where he had gone to pick his son.
It was gathered that Sulaiman’s two-year-old son, who was in the car with his father, was lucky to escape unhurt.
The state police command, in its reaction, said that two policemen have died as a result of the incident.
Adewale Osifeso, the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, in a statement obtained by newsmen on Friday, described the deceased, Sulaiman who was driving his car along the road when the incident occurred, as a “onlooker who was hit by stray bullet”.
He enjoined the citizens not to panic.
“Further to the media chat at the scene of the crime. Today Thursday 10th February, 2022 at about 1345hrs, a group of masked armed robbers about 10 in number trailed, targeted and attacked a bullion van around the traffic light area, Idi-Ape junction Agodi, Ibadan.
“The armed robbers engaged the police officers escorting the bullion van and in the process, an undisclosed amount of money was carted away.
“In a swift response, the Police equally neutralized one of the armed robbers while some were believed to have escaped with multiple gunshot injuries.
“Consequently, a civilian onlooker was hit by a stray bullet and died at the scene while two Police officers later died in the hospital as a result of gunshot injuries sustained. Four others including two police officers are responding to treatment,” he said.
“The citizenry are hereby enjoined not to panic as efforts are in top gear to track down and apprehend the criminal gang.”