Police escorts flee as armed robbers ambush bullion van in Delta state, cart away over N60M
- Armed robbery operation causes panic in Asaba as motorists scamper for safety
- The Delta state police spokesperson, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, states that internal connivance cannot be ruled out in the attack
- He says no life was lost and no injury was sustained during the shootout
Dare devil armed robbers on Friday, December 8, launched an attack on a bullion van conveying over N60 million in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
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The robbery operation was said to have caused panic in the state capital as motorists abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway and scampered for safety, The Nation reports.
An eyewitness who spoke under the condition of anonymity told the newspaper that the bullion van was ambushed by a gang of robbers in a convoy of three vehicles including a grey coloured Sienna van.
It was reported that eight policemen escorting the bullion van engaged the robbers in a shootout, but later fled the scene when they were overpowered by the superior firepower of the robbers.
Another eyewitness said: “It was like a scene in one of those foreign movies where the actors engage in gun battle. The hoodlums came in with about three cars and intercepted the bullion van at the junction. They started shooting and innocent people took to their heels to avoid being victims of stray bullets.
" Even vehicles on the expressway were making detour as a result of the attack. The officers attached to the van responded but I think the hoodlums had superior fire arms because the officers soon disappeared, giving the bandits an unfettered access to the cash stocked in the bullion van.”
The Delta state police spokesperson, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the robbery attack, stated that internal connivance cannot be ruled out.
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He faulted some commercial banks who were still in the habit of conveying money without using bullet-proof vans despite repeated warnings by the police command.
Aniamaka said: "I suspect internal connivance. This is in spite of the warning issued by the State Command for commercial banks to convey money following approved guidelines. The bullion van is not bullet proof; it is a configured bullion van”
"Who informed the hoodlums that they were carrying cash through that route? It is quite unfortunate that banks are still using configured bullion vans without bullet proof, subjecting their personnel and escort officers to unnecessary risk.
“As we speak now, investigation is on, but I cannot tell you how much cash the bullion van was carrying before the attack. What I can assure is that the command will put necessary measures in place to bring whoever is involved directly or indirectly to justice.”
He however stated that no life was lost and no injury was sustained during the shootout.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, December 5, ordered the investigation of the alleged human rights abuse and extra-judicial killing by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
NAIJ.com reported that Senator Isah Misau moved the motion while citing orders 42 and 52 and speaking on the recent happenings with the SARS and the public which according to him, needed urgent intervention.
He said there have been lots of complaints about extra-judicial killings and brutality, adding that the Senate should ensure the issue is investigated to get the truth of the matter.
Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi west senatorial district also seconded the motion moved by Senator Misau on the need to investigate the matter.
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Source: Naija.ng