Benin, Edo – In the early hours of Wednesday, suspected armed robbers shot and injured an operative of the Edo State Security Corps while the vigilante team responded to a distress call at a residential apartment in Ikhueniro community along the Benin-Agbor Road.

According to eyewitnesses, the gang gained entry into the compound by scaling the perimeter fence, and held the gateman hostage before breaking into the main house.

Some members of the gang were said to ransacked the building, while others remained stationed outside the gate.

The situation escalated into a fierce gun battle when vigilantes arrived at the scene.

“It was like war,” an eyewitness recounted.

“The robbers were shooting sporadically, exchanging bullets with the vigilantes who responded to our call.”, the eyewitness told our correspondent

A vigilante operative who corroborated the account, explained that the armed robbers shot one of the responding vigilante operatives, adding, a member of the gang was also wounded in the exchange.

Bloodstains were visible along the robbers’ escape route through the fence, indicating that the injured robber fled with gunshot wounds.

Residents described the incident as the third armed robbery in the building within the past two years.

The matter was promptly reported at the Okhuaie Police Division, which subsequently dispatched detectives to the scene.

As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been made.

A police officer, who spoke to DAILY South Nigeria on condition of anonymity, confirmed that investigations have commenced into the attack.

The injured Edo State Security Corps operative is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in Benin City.

This latest incident adds to the growing reports of armed robbery attacks in Benin City and its environs in recent times.

Residents have attributed the surge to persistent electricity blackouts, which create darkness that favours criminal activities, and what they describe as a poor policing system across the state.

Community members are calling on the government to properly equip, adequately remunerate, and provide necessary logistics and retraining for vigilante operatives, who often serve as the first line of response in security emergencies.

The Edo State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.