Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State operatives of the state police command have commenced a mop up operation killing an armed robbery suspect at Oluku bypass near Benin City, last Friday.

Police stated that the suspect was gunned down when his gang engaged a team of policemen in a gun battle after they had successfully waylaid travellers on the Benin-bypass about 3am.

It was gathered that the police stormed the robbery scene with armoured vehicle after receiving a distress call.

The robbers were said to have fled into a nearby bush when they could not withstand the firing power of policemen.

The robbery suspect with items said to have been recovered from him
The robbery suspect with items said to have been recovered from him

Police further stated that the body of the deceased bandit was later recovered when operatives conducted a search ‎around the bush.

A machete, telephone handsets, wallet and other items were displayed along with the corpse of the suspect before newsman at Ekiadolor Police station in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, last Friday.

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Some persons who identified themselves as the travellers that were attacked by the robbers thanked the police for their swift response.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State Mr Chris Ezike while confirming the incident, said it was part of the mop-up operation to flush out criminals in the state ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

“It is part of our mop-up operation, as the election is in view, we need to keep‎ crime down so that the criminals do not use it in perpetrating violence”. CP Ezike stated.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has invited shortlisted candidates in the ongoing police recruitment exercise to aptitude test at Imaguero Secondary School, Sapele Road, Benin City between Monday 22nd and Wednesday 24th, 2016 as contained in their respective letters of invitation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command Public Relations Officer DSP Theodore Okafor and made available to Sunday OBSERVER in Benin City.

The release which advised candidates to come along with the printout letters of invitation, noted that only those that have received massage through SMS or e-mail should report at the venue from 7am each day.