A group of armed robbers on Tuesday, ambushed and attacked a billion van conveying cash belonging to a commercial bank coming from Aba to Umuahia. The attack took place at Ntigha junction, along Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway as the billion van was being escorted back to Umuahia by Mobile Policemen attached to PMF Umuahia and Counter Terrorists Unit Base 4, Aba.
During the robbery incident, one of the robbers was neutralized and a bank cash officer was shot dead by the robbers. These were contained in a press release from Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia State Police Command.
Ogbonna said on “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 gunshot injuries and were subsequently rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile the corpses of the deceased Bank Staff and that of the neutralized hoodlum were deposited at the morgue for preservation while the investigation lasts.” The Police Command enjoined the public and proprietors of medical facilities in and outside the State to report any person (s) seen or presented with suspected gunshot injuries to the Police or any other security agency. It was gathered that large amount of cash in ill- fated billion van was allegedly stolen by the robbers during the operation.
