17th May, 2011
Two policemen were shot dead by bandits on Monday during a raid at a new generation bank in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
Reliable sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bank, located near the new Central Bank Cash Office, came under intense gunfire for several hours, leading to the death of the two police corporals.
The sources said that the robbers failed to go away with money, but noted that the windows to the security post were shattered by bullets.
Some staff of the bank were also reported to have sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds during the raid.
When contacted, Mr. John Eluu, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the incident.
“Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, Commissioner of Police in the state, has directed that all necessary measures be adopted to ensure that the armed robbers were apprehended within 24 hours.
“We assure of the command’s resolve to provide effective security of lives and property of residents,†he said.
NAN reported that the incident is among a series of robberies in Abakaliki within the past one week. A huge sum of money was also stolen from a trader at the popular Meat Market in the town recently.
Sources said that the trader was shot severely and is reportedly in critical condition at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abakaliki.
Similarly, another robbery incident occurred at St. Patrick’s Road in the city, involving a nursing mother who lost money and other valuables to the thieves.