Monday 18 November 2013

Robbers on rampage in Lagos

It was like a war situation  in Lagos at the weekend when armed robbers raided a new generation bank at Ayobo area of Ipaja, Lagos. Policemen engaged them in a gun battle. When the smoke settled, two policemen and four members of a dare devil armed robbery gang lost their lives. Four members of the gang were also arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad [ SARS].
Two policemen were also injured while some members of the gang were said to have escaped with bullet wounds. The shoot-out lasted for over 30 minutes, causing serious panic among  the residents.
The incident occurred  at about 2am  when the robbers broke into the bank and forced their way into the premises, vandalizing the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). It was gathered that a distress call was made to the  Ayobo Police station and a patrol team raced to the scene
On sighting the patrol team, the robbers opened fire. A fierce gun duel ensued after which the two policemen and four suspects were killed.
Another round of gun duel occurred between the robbers and operatives, who arrested four members of the gang , while the suspected leader of the gang and some others escaped with bullet wounds
A resident of Ayobo town, John Okarandu, described the incident  as “ very terrible and scary “ following the magnitude of the heavy shooting that characterized the robbery. He said “there was serious sophistication in the shooting between the policemen and the robbers. There was a serious vibration from the shoot-out “
The state police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said it was a “foiled robbery attempt” on the Ayobo branch of the new generation bank.
She said, “at about 02 00 hours, Ayobo Division received a distress call that armed robbers were trying to break into the ATMs of the  bank. A patrol team led by ASP Longinus Anozie, responded swiftly and stormed the scene of the robbery
“The robbers on sighting the patrol vehicle, opened fire , while the police responded and engaged them squarely in a firece gun duel.
“Sadly, two of our officers lost their lives , while the attempted robbery was foiled, four of the robbers were killed and four arrested’’, she said.
She also appealed to members of the public to report anyone seen with bullet wounds to the nearest police station.

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