Robbers kill 4 cops, 2 others in Enugu bank robbery - Police kill 4 robbers in Lagos

From Jude Ossai, Adelowo Oladipo, Saka Gbeminiyi, Olalekan Olabulo and Dele Ayeleso - 14.03.2008

Four policemen, a bullion van driver and five others were reported killed on Wednesday in Enugu State when a gang of armed robbers laid ambush and attacked some bank officials carrying money in a bullion van.

The incident, which occurred at Umuba-Nno on Enugu-Onitsha expressway at about 11:00 a.m., also saw two civilians killed during a gun battle.

However, four suspected bank robbers were shot dead in Lagos while two members of the gang were captured by the police.

Two other members of the gang were also brought unconscious to the state police headquarters at Ikeja by a team of special anti-robbery squad and the Rapid Respond Squad of the state police command.

It was gathered that the Enugu hoodlums overpowered the security operatives and tried to escape with the money in the bullion van but could not succeed even after they set the van ablaze.

Nigerian Tribune also learnt that the robbers were able to escape with some money from another vehicle used by the bank officials as a backup.

It was gathered that the robbers also went to Oji-River, a nearby community, where they refuelled their vehicle and killed a petrol attendant.

The bank officials, whose names the police refused to disclose, were said to be going to Onitsha, Anambra State, before the incident occurred.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Mr. Mike Abattam, confirmed the incident, but declined to give details, saying that investigations were in progress with a view to arresting the culprits.

Several people including a soldier were reportedly injured from stray bullets as policemen in Lagos engaged the robbers in a shootout.

Nigerian Tribune gathered the heavily armed robbers numbering 18 stormed the bank premises in three vehicles around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.