Date: 2018-01-16

Men of the Federal Security Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), penultimate Friday, killed one Abacha Abubakar, a notorious armed robber fingered in the kidnap of former minister, Olu Falae at Bode-Saadu, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

In what looked like a movie scene, the FSARS officers were said to have engaged Abubakar in a gun duel, resulting in gun wounds and the death of one Sgt. Yusuf Machi, who hails from Minna, Niger State, Thursday night.

The suspect, according to a source is the kingpin of a notorious gang that relocated from Maiduguri and had has consistently evaded arrest. He was said to have been terrorising Kwara and neighbouring states in recent years.

Abubakar was reportedly disallowed from settling down among the Fulanis in the state, a situation which apparently led him to seek refuge in the bush at Bode-Saadu.

According to a police source, SARS received information from residents of Bode Saadu and environs claiming a Fulani man had been attacking people and dispossessing travellers of their belongings.

The source added that, a SARS team led by the Officer-in-Charge (OC), simply identified as Dambatta, stormed Bode-Saadu in search of the suspect.

Narrating the incident, the source said, "The officers on arrival at Bode - Saadu penultimate Friday searched everywhere but could not find the suspect.

"They however laid ambush for him hoping he will come out to observe Ishai prayer but he never showed up. He later came out in the night apparently when he heard one of the officers cough. He subsequently shot sporadically at everything at sight and an officer, Sgt. Machi came out of hidden and later joined by others to face the suspect in a gun battle.

"Machi was hit by a bullet on his hand and the notorious robber after sustaining injuries ran into the bush for escape. The officers chased subsequently chased after the suspect but could not locate him.

"The OC SARS then led the team to the Bode-Saadu police station and seek for the men of the Vigilante Group from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who they believe should know the terrain and could assist in the search for notorious robber."

On getting into the bush, SARS in conjunction with vigilante men of Bode-Saadu were said to have discovered the lifeless body of Abubakar on a rock and some substance believed to be charms found on him.

Speaking further, the source said, the officers proceeded to the home of the suspect located in the bush and discovered three AK-47 rifles.

"On the ammunition, naira notes and chameleon blood stain were said to have been used as trigger. According to a foremost vigilante in the area, anyone that is hit by a bullet from the gun will die no matter where it hits the person," the source divulged, adding that the remains of Abubakar was deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital morgue while the injured officer was also admitted at the same facility before he eventually died from gunshot wounds last Thursday.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, said the command received information on the nefarious acts of the suspect and swung into action.

Okasanmi said some suspected kidnappers were arrested in attempt to abduct a woman and they mentioned the den where they keep their ammunitions.

"Upon the information, the SARS officers travelled to Bode-Saadu where they were engaged in a gun duel with the suspect leading to his death. Also, an officer who was hit by a bullet was rushed to the hospital for treatment but died in the process of rescue.

"I can also confirm to you that some arms were recovered, he disclosed."