Seven killed, two arrested as police, bank robbers clash

Juliana Francis

Three policemen and four suspected bank robbers were feared to have been killed yesterday morning after bank robbers stormed and attacked Access bank, located along the Ayobo area of Lagos State.

One of the residents said that the robbers attacked the robber at about 3am and made away with some money.

When policemen on duty at Oluwaga road side learned that bank robbers were operating, they had raced to the scene and engaged the robbers in a gun battle.

The battle was said to have lasted more than two hours, with many of the residents fearing for their lives.

When the smoke from the battle cleared, three policemen had been slain, while four robbers were said to have been killed, with two more robbers arrested.

One of the slain policemen had been identified as one Inspector Segun, attached to Alago Police Station.

One of the eye witnesses said: “My dear, the shooting was just too much. We all cowered in our rooms. The shooting lasted for more than two hours. You can’t compare the bank robbers’ guns with that of the police. The robbers attacked at about 3am and entered the bank. They made away with money. It was during the gun battle that three policemen were killed. Police also killed four of the robbers, while two of the robbers were arrested. Others escaped. The robbers abandoned one of their cars. It‘s a Camry car. It fell into the gutter, so they left it. The car has been taken away by policemen from Alago Police Station.”

Police image maker, Ngozi Braide confirmed the incident, but insisted that the bank robbery was foiled. She also insisted that only two policemen were killed, while four of the robbers were apprehended.

Her words: “Today at about 2am, Ayobo Division received a distress call that armed robbers were trying to break Access bank ATM situated at Ayobo. A patrol team led by the operation officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Longnus Amuzie, responded swiftly. The robbers on sighting the patrol team, opened fire, while the policemen engaged them squarely.

“Sadly, two of our officers lost their lives, while the attempted robbery was forestalled. During this encounter, men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were drafted to the scene and four of the robbers apprehended as they were fleeing from the area.

“They are currently undergoing interrogation and also assisting the police in investigation. Meanwhile, other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds. We’re also appealing to members of the public to report anyone seen with bullet wounds.”