A two-man armed robbery gang, allegedly responsible for terrorizing the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State and known for serially robbing bank customers, was apprehended after a fierce shootout with a police monitoring team. The intense confrontation, which lasted for several minutes, occurred near the Tribune House at Imalefalafia area of Ibadan on Wednesday, causing pandemonium in the vicinity, including Oke-Ado.

The sequence of events leading to the confrontation began at Anfaani, where the robbers waylaid a Muslim cleric, popularly known as Alfa. The cleric, carrying motorcycle parts packed inside a sack, was shot, as the robbers likely mistook the contents for cash. After this incident, the suspects proceeded to Imalefalafia. An eyewitness recounted how the robbers stopped at a vulcaniser stand, feigning the need to inflate their tyres, while the second robber engaged a female POS operator in conversation, reportedly preparing for another operation.

Eyewitnesses, including Seye Adeniyi, who observed the shooting of Alfa, promptly alerted the police at Iyaganku. Officers were swiftly dispatched to the area and strategically laid an ambush around the Tribune House, anticipating the robbers' movements. Upon sighting the policemen, one of the robbers drew his pistol and opened fire, injuring one of the officers. The police returned fire, and with collaborative efforts from bystanders, successfully engaged and apprehended the suspects.

During the protracted gun duel, one of the robbers, identified as the gang leader, sustained fatal bullet wounds and died immediately at the scene. A search revealed he was carrying a backpack containing a pistol, cartridges, charms, bracelets, and, as confirmed by another eyewitness, large sums of cash. His accomplice, identified as the 'Okada' pilot rider, was caught alive after significant effort and was critically injured. He is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital, with police officers present to monitor his recovery and gather necessary information for their ongoing investigation.

A senior police officer, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that the police had been actively trailing the notorious gang due to their reported involvement in various criminal activities, including armed robbery, within the area and its adjoining communities. The authorities expressed hope that this successful operation in foiling their activities would effectively put an end to their criminal raids, thereby ensuring greater safety and security for the residents.