Armed robbers have shot dead the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in Ijare, Ifedore council area of Ondo State, Iheme Wilfred, an assistant superintendent of police, ASP, after they finished robbing a bank outside the state.
The police officer was said to have met his unfortunate end when he led his men to lay an ambush for the robbers who operated at a commercial bank in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and wanted to escape through Ijare, as the fire power of the robbers dwarfed that of the officer and his men.
On getting to Ijare Road where the policemen had laid the ambush, the robbers opened fire on them, and ASP Wilfred was killed in the process, according to reports.
A source however said that the deceased and his men engaged the robbers in a shoot out for about 20 minutes before they were overpowered by the robbers who brandished sophisticated weapons.
It was learnt that the policemen who accompanied the deceased officer dropped their weapons and fled into the bush immediately they noticed that he had died. The robbers allegedly carted away their arms and ammunition.
The robbers were said to have stolen an unspecified amount of money from a commercial bank in Ikere Ekiti.
Confirming the death of the DCO, the Ondo State Police Public Relations officer, Wole Ogodo, described the killing of the ASP as unfortunate.
He however said men of the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were investigating the incident.
