How Policemen Deployed To Bank Foiled Armed Robbery Attempt in Lagos

• shot police inspector recuperates in hospital

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Contrary to earlier reports that the Access bank branch at Orile, was the target of a six-man daredevil armed robbery gang that terrorised the area on Thursday, THISDAY weekend gathered that the reverse was the case.

THISDAY gathered that the armed gang had trailed a woman, said to be a bureau de change operator, into the Odun Ade market and had robbed her of her money.

The gang had at about 10am stormed the street on six motorbikes and after a successful robbery, shot their way through, as they sped towards their escape route.

Their escape would have been smooth save for the gallantry of the policemen deployed by the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 22 to the bank, who intercepted the armed gang.

It was in attempt to flee that they passed in front of Access bank and on sighting the policemen on duty who were already at alert, they opened fire on them.

The policemen were said to have retaliated, and this ensued in a gun duel, that ended with an inspector, simply identified as Gabriel, being shot on the right hand and leg.

One of the gang members was also hit in the gunfire and with that, it was easier for the Ajegunle Police Division, who were deployed by the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to trail them.

The police were able to arrest three members of the gang, just as they are still on the trail of the remaining members of the gang.

Already, the bank has taken over the welfare of the inspector who was shot in the exchange of gunfire, promising to clear all medical expenses.

Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni had in the company of DCP Olafimihan Adeoye, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations and the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, visited the injured inspector.

After speaking the inspector, Owoseni took out time to speak with the medical personnel on duty to ensure that quality medical care is dispensed to the policeman.

Giving details on how the attack occurred, Gabriel said, “It was about 9.30am on Thursday and we were inside the bank premises at the Coker branch doing our job.

“Suddenly, we heard people shouting that armed robbers were coming and we came out with our rifles and took cover, waiting for the armed robbers.

“When they got to the front of the bank, they opened fire and we retaliated. They opened fire again and we retaliated. It was then I took cover under the vehicle.

“It was there that the bullet hit my right leg and hand. Immediately the bullet hit me, I felt weak as I was bleeding. I called my colleagues to help me and I was taken to the Mainland General Hospital.

“At the hospital, the chief security officer of the bank came to see me. The bank has promised to take care of the hospital bills from my medical treatment.”

Despite the gunshot wounds, Gabriel who commended the police for still arresting three of the six-man gang said he is not deterred.

He said, “I am not deterred. I have signed for this police work. I will still face robbers again if the opportunity arises.”

Meanwhile, the three arrested suspects, Sunday Emmanuel, Sunjor Sunday and Monday Nwogbo, are presently at the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the state police command, where they are undergoing investigation.