Police operatives of the FCT Police Command, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma, the DCP Operations and Assistant Police Commissioner in charge of Operations, ACP Eyinna Adiogu, supported by troops of Guards Brigade, led by the Commanding Officer, Brigade Intelligence, Lieutenant Colonel Umoru of Saturday December 28, 2019, foiled a robbery attempt to rob first bank at Mpape district of the FCT.
At the end of a 3 hours siege and shootout, one of the armed robbers was gunned down while 5 others were smoked out for the bank with scores of tear gas cannisters launched by FCT Police operatives and Special Forces.
Also included in the shootout which resulted in the arrest of the 5 other suspects were Policemen of MOPOL 21 led by their Commander, ACP Igbafe.
Sunday Vanguard investigations showed that at about 10 am some staff of First Bank, Mpape arrived the bank to either balance their account or put money at the ATM machines without knowing that some persons were lurking around, waiting for them.
As soon as the gate of the bank was opened, the robbers pounced on the Policemen on guard duty, demobilized and tied their hands.
They started shooting sporadically to scare people around. However, one of the policemen, was able to untie his hands, and opened fire, killing one of the robbers instantly while others ran into the bank
Read Also:
The Policeman, Sergeant Smai Wakai attached to Mopol 21 thereafter sent out a distress message to the police authorities while Guards Brigade received the intelligence and deployed its personnel to cordon off the bank.
For several hours, the robbers engaged the police and the soldiers from inside the bank until the police started raining tear gas cannisters into the building.
After a while, policemen and Guards Brigade soldiers wearing Gas masks with bullet proof reinforcements entered the building and overpowered the remaining gang members.
Meanwhile, a press statement on the foiled attack by FCT Police Command said, “In prompt response to a distress call at Mpape , the FCT Police Command foiled an attempted robbery attack at a First Bank branch at about 12noon on Saturday.
The statement signed by ASP Maryam Yusuf, Deputy PRO said, “Police Operatives were immediately deployed to the scene and engaged in crossfire with the robbers thereby foiling the attack on the bank with the back up of the Military.
“Consequently, Four (4) suspects were arrested and one shot dead while trying to escape.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a discreet investigation of the incident.
“The Command urges residents to remain calm as normalcy has been restored while reaffirming its commitment to nip crime in the bud and ensure safety in the FCT.
“In case of emergency contact the Command through any of these emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.”
END
