By Ismaila Ajikobi, Abuja
Attempt by the 15 members armed robbery gang to carry out robbery operation in a bank in Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory was foiled by the combined efforts of the Police and the Military.
The gang who had simultenously attacked the Abaji Divisional Police headquarters struck the branch of first bank in the area on Thursday with the help of dynamites but was repelled by the superior power of the security agencies.
Spokesperson, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement.
According to it: ” In a swift response to an armed robbery incident at first bank PLC in Abaji on June 13, 2024, at about 5:00 PM, the FCT police, led by the commissioner of police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, himself, in a combined operation with the military, mobilized to scene and repelled the attack simultaneously carried out on both Abaji Divisional Police headquarters and first bank PLC in Abaji by a group of fifteen armed men who attacked with dynamites in attempt to rob the bank.
“The security forces engaged the armed robbers in an intense gun duel, forcing them to scamper to safety with various degrees of bullet wounds, as the security forces succeeded in apprehending three suspects, namely, Usman (surname yet unknown), who was reported to be the gang leader, Nuhu Musa, 41 ‘m’ of Kogi State; and Muhammed Aminu, 25 ‘m’ of Abaji, with grave degrees of bullet injuries, while a yet-to-be-identified suspect was set ablaze by an irate mob at the scene after being neutralised by the security forces.
“One police operative and the gang leader hit by bullet during the gun duel, were rushed to the hospital, and the doctor on duty confirmed them dead, while others are still receiving treatment.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, who lauded the effectiveness othe combined operation also reaffirms the command unflinching commitment to ensuring the nation’s capital remains inhabitable for criminals, adding that the safety of residents is non-negotiable, while efforts have been intestify to apprehending fleeing suspects.