Gunmen kill police officer in shootout, snatch rifle in Edo State
A police officer was reportedly shot dead on Friday afternoon along the Ugbowo–Lagos Road near the Ekosodin junction in Benin City, Edo State, after a violent confrontation with suspected armed robbers attempting to evade security checkpoints.
The attack occurred during a routine stop-and-search operation—a policing method commonly used in Edo and many parts of Nigeria to curb rising armed robbery, cult activities, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Security sources said the suspects were driving a black Lexus RX Jeep from the direction of the UNIBEN main gate when they encountered the first police checkpoint.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspects passed the first checkpoint without stopping, raising suspicion among the officers. When they saw a second checkpoint ahead, the suspects quickly diverted onto a side street, drawing the attention of the slain officer who moved closer to the vehicle.
One eyewitness who followed behind the suspect vehicle narrated how the situation escalated.
He said: “According to him, a Lexus Jeep was ahead of me from the UNIBEN main gate toward Ekosodin. As soon as they noticed another checkpoint, they quickly turned onto a nearby street.”
The eyewitness added that the officer approached the vehicle, possibly to question the occupants or instruct them to return to the checkpoint. But what happened next was sudden and deadly.
“The slain officer approached the diverted vehicle when the suspects suddenly stopped, stepped out, and allegedly opened fire on him at close range,” he said.
The attackers then seized the officer’s service rifle and attempted to flee the scene.
As the gunmen sped away, they ran into another group of officers on duty in the area. A brief exchange of gunfire followed, with the suspects reportedly shooting their way through the officers before managing to escape.
The eyewitness added: “As the suspects sped off, they engaged other police officers on duty in a brief shootout before escaping from the scene.”
Residents said they could hear gunshots from different points, sending passersby, traders, and students running for safety. The UNIBEN–Ekosodin axis is densely populated, with many hostels, businesses, and transport parks. Friday afternoons are typically busy, making the incident even more alarming for people in the area.
As of press time, the Edo State Police Command had not released an official statement on the killing or the escape of the suspected robbers.
However, a source close to the command confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.
The source said the command was expected to brief the public soon, especially because of the high-profile nature of the attack and the ongoing efforts to track down the fleeing suspects. The recovery of the officer’s stolen service rifle is said to be one of the key priorities, as stolen police weapons often end up being used in other criminal operations.
