A hot exchange of gunfire broke out on Tuesday, between robbers and police operatives giving cover to a bullion van transporting cash from a commercial bank, at the end of which two bodies, one, an official of the bank and another, one of the robbers lay dead.
The incident occurred at about 1:13pm at Ntigha junction along the Port Harcourt – Enugu Highway in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.
Geoffrey Ogbonna, spokesman of the Abia State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
The bullion van, which was escorted by six policemen, was conveying cash from a commercial bank in Aba to Umuahia when it ran into an ambush by armed robbers.
The robbers, were said to have opened fire on the operatives “attached to 28 PMF Umuahia and Counter Terrorist Unit Base,” providing security for the vehicle, Ogbonna stated, causing the driver to swerve the van into the bush.
Though the gunmen were said to have shot and killed the banker, after the driver fled the scene, the escorts, were said to have engaged them in a shootout, leading to the death of one of the criminals while his AK 47 rifle and three magazines strapped together were recovered.
Ogbonna disclosed that three of the policemen were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment, adding that the bodies of the banker and the armed robber have been deposited at a morgue.
He asked residents and proprietors of medical facilities to report anyone seen or presented with suspected gunshot injuries to the police or other security agencies.
The statement, said: “Today 26th July, 2022 at about 1313 hours along Port Harcourt/Enugu highway by Ntigha junction in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of the State, Six Mobile Policemen attached to 28 PMF Umuahia and Counter Terrorist Unit base 4 Aba while escorting a Bullion Van conveying cash from one New Generation Commercial Banks in Aba to Umuahia suddenly ran into a blockade/ambush mounted by armed robbers.
“The armed robbers opened fire at the Bullion Van which forced its driver to swerve into the bush where the Bank Cash Officer was shot dead by the hoodlums while the driver escaped. During a gun duel that ensued between the Police escorts and the hoodlums, one of the hoodlums was neutralized and his AK 47 rifle with ammunition laden in three magazines strapped together was recovered.
“However, three of the escort men sustained gun shot injuries and were subsequently rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile the corpses of the deceased Bank Staff and that of the neutralised hoodlum were deposited at the morgue for preservation while the investigation lasts. The Police Command therefore, enjoins the public and proprietors of medical facilities in and outside the State to report any person (s) seen or presented with suspected gun shot injuries to the Police or any other Security Agency, please.”
