A suspected armed robber has been shot dead by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command during a midnight operation in the Abule Egba area of the state.

The suspect, known only as Blessing, was reportedly operating from a refuse dump in the Katangua section of the community. According to police sources, the operation began at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday after intelligence revealed the hideout of armed criminals in the area.

Upon sighting the police, Blessing allegedly opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. He was hit during the shootout and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead.

State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the operation was linked to the earlier arrest of Yakubu Adeyemi, a 43-year-old suspected robber, who provided key information on his gang’s hideout.

“Our operatives stormed the Katangua refuse dump to arrest other members of the gang and recover their weapons. On sighting the police, the suspect opened fire, and our officers responded decisively,” Hundeyin said.

Recovered from the scene were:

One AK-47 rifle with five rounds of ammunition in the breech

A locally made single-barrelled pistol

Four live cartridges

The police spokesperson confirmed that Blessing’s body had been deposited at the Mainland Hospital mortuary for autopsy. Manhunt efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.