It was a moment of utter disbelief on Monday as a Police patrol vehicle reportedly ran out of fuel while pursuing a Jeep allegedly stolen by a suspected robber.

The incident occurred along Western Reservoir Road (now Abubakar Olusola Saraki Way), near Mandate Ultramodern Market, Ilorin, around 5:00 pm.

The police Hilux pickup wan trailing the suspected stolen vehicle from Mandate end, suddenly stopped along the road, while the bandit ran through a junction beside Adewole Cottage Hospital.

According to our source, who witnessed the scenario, the armed policemen involved were watching helplessly as the thief made away with the Jeep; a development that attracted passers-by and those working around the area to the scene.

The police, found to be attached to Adewole Division, were not exornerated of the escape, as many hauled abusive words at them almost carelessly.

Some even expressed doubt at their (police's) innocence, claiming that they ought to have shot the Jeep's tyre(s) to prevent its eventual loss.

One of them who later spoke with our source on condition of anonymity said the incident was a bad omen fot the ongoing reform in the Nigerian Police.

He pointed out that in a civilized setting; the police must be combat ready and avoid unpardonable errors in the discharge of their duties.

Calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, he said the affected police patrol team must be interrogated and sanctioned accordingly if found culpable.

Meanwhile, efforts by our source to find out if the matter was reported at Adewole Divisional Police Station where the team was discovered to have come from proved abortive, as the DPO could not be reached through his mobile phone.

By Sulyman Yusuf and Biliqis Ishaq (National Pilot)