Easter robber killed by police

Biola Azeez, Umuahia - 23.03.2008

A suspected armed robber has been shot dead and others inflicted with bullet wounds by the Abia State Police Command after it foiled attempts by a robbery gang to make quick money for the Easter celebrations.

The police commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeozue, who announced this to journalists in Umuahia during a press briefing, said his men acted on information to the "B"Ops Anti Patrol Unit that someone was robbed by an armed gang along the expressway.

The robbers, who had changed position before the arrival of his men, had blocked the one lane that was near Ofeme as the other lane had been closed to traffic due to construction work going on.

The gang, made up of six persons, was about robbing another victim in a Mercedes Benz, and on sighting the policemen opened fire on them.It was the fire fight that led to the death of one of them.

He told journalists that while combing the bush around the scene of the incident the following morning, the corpse of the shot robber was discovered, riddled with bullets.

Ezeozue said he had made recommendations to the Inspector General of Police for reward for a number of Police officers who had, in the past few months, displayed exceptional gallantry in foiling armed robbery attacks and rescued kidnapped persons.

He said as was the case during the Christmas period, the Command had taken proactive measures to keep the state safe.He urged those returning to the state for the Easter break to do so without fear.