Following intelligence report, a crack team of the anti-robbery squad attached to the Police Command in Abia State on Thursday foiled an alleged attempt by men of underworld to rob an old generation bank in Umuahia.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to journalists in the state.
According to him, the command received an information that there is an attempt to rob a bank situated on Bank Road in the capital city of Abia.
“The command immediately dispatched an anti-robbery squad to the scene and they succeeded in foiling the robbery attempt,” Ogbonna.
Eyewitness account said that the operation was carried out by a four-member gang.
108scoop gathered that the armed men, on sighting the policemen shot sporadically as they made way to escape.
The criminals, we learnt abandoned their red-colour Corolla car with the registration number, LND 126 HL, and escaped in another car reportedly snatched from an unsuspecting motorist.
A cosmetics dealer on Okpara Avenue, Mr Yusuf Garba, said the operation happened at a time he was displaying his wares between 9a.m. and 10a.m.
Garba said the incident caused a serious stampede among residents and traders in the area, adding that passersby ran helter-skelter for safety.
He said that at the end of the gun duel between the police and robbery suspects, three persons, including a policeman at the bank, sustained bullet wounds.
Mr Iheanacho Agubuche, a dairy seller in the area, alleged that two persons were hit by stray bullets.
“The victims were immediately rushed to the nearby Federal Medical Centre for treatment.
“We are praying that they would survive from the bullet wounds,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents have appealed to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and Commissioner of Police, Janeth Agbede, to beef up security in the state.
The residents have complained against violent crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry.
