IGARA– Operatives of Edo State Police Command in partnership with local vigilante have arrested more persons suspected to have been involved in Tuesday bank robbery at Igara town, the administrative headquarters of Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State.
The latest arrest has re-echoed the need of community partnership in crime prevention, fighting and control that has so far been advocated by the new Commissioner of Police Mr Chris Ezike in Edo State.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Osifo Abiodun disclosed that the suspects are undergoing interrogation.
“More suspects were arrested and are undergoing interrogation. In fact, we are expecting them in Benin so that we can ascertain the extent to their involvement in the incident”. DSP Osifo stated.
He further explained that more police personnel have been deployed to Igara town to beef up security in and around border communities in the locality.
Cash, arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects.
It will be recalled that one suspect was apprehended during the bank attack that reportedly claimed five lives including two policemen.
Our reporter gathered that a cache of arms and ammunition, explosives as well as dangerous weapons belonging to the robbers were recovered by the police.
Over N4million cash was recovered as one suspect was among the five casualties.
The robbers were said to have stormed the banks premises about 6pm last Tuesday shooting sporadically to scare away possible danger during their criminal operation.
Following a distressed call, police in the area engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel as local vigilante and hunters were said to have barricaded major exit points in the town.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Osifo Abiodun confirmed the attack.
He commended the gallantry of the police officers and that of the local vigilante.
He added that the affected banks are situated adjacent to each other as investigation is ongoing to further ascertain whether the robbers succeeded in carting away cash from one of the banks.
– (Nigerian Observer)
