Three Shot Dead As Edo Police Recover N120m From Robbers

Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 09.02.2008

Three policemen were shot dead while five others sustained various degrees of injuries on Friday at Ugoneki, in Edo State, when armed robbers attacked a bullion van conveying N125 million from a branch of Zenith Bank in Nkpor, Anambra state, to a branch of the bank in Benin City.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 10am. The robbers, who were heavily armed with AK47 rifles and sub-machine guns, reportedly rained bullets on the policemen attached to the Edo State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), who had gone after them on a tip-off.

The gun duel between the policemen and the robbers left three of the policemen dead. However, the police were able to foil the robbery and recovered the N125 million.

The robbers, who were said be operating in two cars, an Audi and Toyota Corolla, reportedly trailed the bullion van from Anambra State to Ugoneki, where they attacked the van.

Besides, the robbers’ confrontation with the police also led to the death of some of the gang members, with whom they escaped using the Audi car, abandoning the Toyota Corolla car.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, who briefed newsmen on the incident in Benin City , said “We received a call from an official of Zenith bank intimating me that armed robbers intercepted their van conveying money from their branch in Nkpor to Benin City around Ugoneki area.

“I quickly informed my people and we dispatched SARS immediately to the area.”