Millions of Naira Snatched, 5 Policemen, 8 Civilians Shot Dead During Bullion Van Robbery Attack

Millions of Naira Snatched, 5 Policemen, 8 Civilians Shot Dead During Bullion Van Robbery Attack Several hundreds of millions of naira were snatched, five policemen and eight civilians were shot dead by armed robbers at Ubulu Okiti along the Benin-Asaba expressway, Delta State, on Tuesday, 24 June. It was gathered that about 20 armed robbers bearing AK45 riffles, broke into the compartment of the bullion van and snatched undisclosed amount of money. According to some eyewitnesses, the attack resembled commando style operation, the gang members were standing on top of their two vehicles, a Siena bus and a Prado jeep, and shooting sporadically. During the robbery operation lasted between 1:45p.m. 2p.m. five policemen escorting the bullion van and eight other civilians were killed. In an attempt to escape a random bullet, several cars somersaulted while others ran into the bush. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the robbery attack. However she said that she had no information about the deceased. "Yes, there was a robbery incident this afternoon (yesterday) when armed robbers ran into our men after robbing a bullion van coming from Agbor. They met our men while escaping after attacking the bullion van. I do not have record about any death as a result of the incident. What I have is that our men were injured and they have been taken to the hospital for medical attention. Even the civilians that were injured have been taken to the hospital as well,"she said, adding that those injured were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.