After a gunfight with a suspected armed robber along the Akure/Ilesha expressway, the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) codenamed Amotekun saved 12 passengers.
The commodities were alleged to have been cartwheeled away by the robbers after the operation, but they were recovered by the security team.
The rescued passengers were on board an 18 bus when it was assaulted, while the other bus was reportedly transporting cargo from Lagos to Kaduna when it was attacked by a group of armed thieves.
The products were stolen away by the criminals, according to reports, as the bus driver and conductor chased after them.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, head of the WNSN and Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, said the bandits escaped after engaging the Amotekun Corps in a gunfight.
“We got information of the operation that passengers travelling from Lagos were being robbed by armed robbers. When we got there, the driver of the J5 bus was no were to be found.
“The robbers abandoned the bus and ran into the forest.
Adeleye said the driver of the bus and his conductor were rescued inside the forest.
“We had to start combing the bush after rescuing the other members of the bus. We checked till the following day when after awhile he was found 5 miles away from the location of the robbery attack.
“At the end of the day, we were able to retrieve the hijacked goods.
“On our way back, we found another set of people in an 18-seater bus and also rescued them from another set of armed robbers.
“We have contacted the owner of the goods and in no time, his goods would be sent back to him in Kano state.
He claimed that random gunshots fired into the air by the criminals attracted Amotekun agents to the spot.
“This is part of Phase 7 of Operation Cleanup and to a word of assurance that anytime, any day, that the New year festivity would be criminal free.
“I would want to generally remind you that this operation is specifically for the yuletide season after which we will go back to the round table with all the security agencies in the state to fashion out new strategy to combat crime.
“Then we will see how we could be better because the exercise has actually exposed the kind of criminal activities that transpires by the day.
“That is why I have no choice now, than to sustain the ongoing 24 hours patrol on the road and also within the town.
He added that ” You will find out that virtually every junction is being manned by Amotekun personnel, NSCDC officials and the police.
