The attack on a bullion van and the murder of a bank official by gunmen on Tuesday in the Umuahia neighborhood of the Enugu-Port Harcourt road have been confirmed by the Abia State Police Command.
In a statement released in Umuahia yesterday, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the event.
According to Ogbonna, the incident occurred at Ntigha crossroads, close to Umuahia, at approximately 1:13 p.m. He claimed that a barricade set up by the alleged robbers forced the bullion van carrying cash from a new generation bank in Aba to Umuahia to stop.
The police spokesman stated that the van was being escorted by six mobile policemen attached to 28 PMF Umuahia and Counter-terrorist Unit Base 4, Aba, when the incident happened.
He announced that the robbers opened fire at the bullion van, forcing the driver to veer into the bush. Ogbonna further disclosed that the driver escaped, while the bank’s cash officer was shot dead. He said one of the gunmen was neutralised during the gun battle that ensued between them and the police.
Ogbonna also stated that an AK 47 rifle, with ammunition laden in three magazines strapped together and belonging to the hoodlums, was recovered.
He disclosed that three of the escort policemen, who sustained gunshot injuries, were rushed to the hospital, adding that the remains of the bank official and the hoodlum had been deposited at a morgue.
The police spokesman explained that investigation into the incident had commenced. He appealed to the public and proprietors of medical facilities in and outside Abia to report any person seen or presented with suspected gunshot injuries to the police or any other security agency.
