Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The police, Thursday, folied an attempt by robbers to rob customers of one of the new generation banks located on Bank Road near Government House Umuahia.
A police personnel and two civilians were reportedly wounded in an exchange of fire that ensued between the robbers and the police.
The robbers according to a police source were said to have opened fire at the police team who arrived the scene of the robbery following a distress call.
The robbers were said to have abandoned their Toyota car and fled in another car they snatched from a motorist at the scene.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in the state, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the attack, adding that: “On sighting our men they engaged them in a gun duel but later fled.”
According to him, police were alerted that a gang of robbers that specializes in trailing bank customers and snatching their money was lurking around the area.
“So our men immediately arrived the scene. They chased the robbers who abandoned their operational vehicle which was recovered with one AK-47 and matches.
“But they snatched another vehicle and escaped. During the exchange of fire their bullet touched one of our men but he is responding to treatment at the hospital.”
The Police Spokesman appealed to members of the public to volunteer any useful information that could assist in trailing the robbers.
He said that investigation into the incident had since commenced.
The PPRO advised bank customers to be very security conscious whenever they were going for any bank transactions.
He, however, said that security agencies would not allow hoodlums any breeding ground in any part of the state.
Meanwhile, the incident caused pandemonium in the state capital as residents ran for safety during the gun duel between the robbers and police.
