Banks now use helicopters as ‘bullion van’ in Aba - To beat robbers

25.07.2008

Following incessant robbery attacks on banks in recent time, banks in Aba, the Abia State Capital, have devised an unusual means of carrying money which is the use of helicopters.

In fact, it was gathered that a helipad was specifically built for the helicopters to land and take off with money.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this move by banks became necessary following rampant attacks on bullion vans by gunmen which sources said were more than 10 in the last three months.

It might also not be unconnected with the incident that happened on Tuesday when gunment attacked the convoy of the state governor, Mr Theodore Orji. The men who escaped were later said to have attacked and snatched a bullion van in the state.

A bank official said on condition of anonymity that banks had lost huge sums of money, running into billions of naira due to incessant attacks on bullion vans.

The official stressed that “it is no longer safe to move cash in vans, hence the initiative by banks”.

NAN reported that a helipad had been built at the Aba central police station, where helicopters land and lift cash in or out of the city.

Police authorities described the strategy as “a temporary measure” and that it had proved “safer and more effective” than the use of bullion vans..

“We have recorded more than five successful robbery attacks on bullion vans in Aba, especially on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway,” a police officer said.