Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have shot dead a man suspected of armed robbery who was reportedly hiding in a refuse dump in Abule Egba, Lagos State.

The suspect, only identified as Blessing, was killed in the early hours of Thursday during a police raid in the Katangua area of the community.

Police sources said the operation started around 1:30 a.m. following information that armed criminals were present at the site. When Blessing saw the officers, he allegedly fired at them, prompting a return of fire.

“There was heavy gunfire exchanged, during which the suspect was hit. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where the doctor confirmed he had died,” a police source revealed.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident, explaining that it followed a confession from 43-year-old suspect Yakubu Adeyemi, who had been arrested earlier.

“Using credible intelligence, our officers raided the Katangua refuse dump to arrest other gang members and seize their weapons,” Hundeyin said.

He added that upon seeing the police, Blessing opened fire, and officers acted decisively. He was later pronounced dead at Oke Odo General Hospital.

At the scene, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with five rounds in the chamber, a locally made single-barrel pistol, and four live cartridges.

Hundeyin stated that Blessing’s body was taken to Mainland Hospital mortuary for autopsy, and police are still tracking other gang members who escaped.