A gang of armed robbers on Friday in a commando like manner hijacked and looted a bullion van in Asaba, Delta state that was conveying several millions of naira from Onitsha to unknown destination.
The bullion van, our correspondent reliably gathered belonged to the United Bank of Africa, (UBA).
Sources who witnessed the robbery incident, said the robbers numbering over 10 had ambushed the van and struck at the busy Asaba-Benin-Onitsha expressway and after chasing away the security escort accompanying the van, they vandalised the van and emptied it.
According to a trader who witnessed the robbery at the popular Coca junction, said ” I witnessed everything as the hoodlums attacked the bullion van and engaged policemen escorting the van in a gun duel, before diverting the bullion van. The incidence occurred about 12:20pm when the bandits opened fire on the policemen, the bullion van and held the money carrying van to a standstill while the policemen abandoned the driver and the bullion and took to their heels for safety.
“There were serious random shooting by the robbers. All we were hearing were the gun shots renting the air. I saw someone who looks like the driver who ran out of the van. Before the police could mobilize back to the scene, the hoodlums have successfully off-loaded the van of undisclosed sum of money leaving the door of the bullion van opened.” Our source said.
Our correspondent gathered that the police after recovering the bullion van, it was taken straight to the “A” division police station, Asaba where it was parked.
Calls to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Police Command, Andrew Aniamaka, to get the true story of the attack were rebuffed and after few minutes, he forwarded a text message to our Bureau Correspondent saying “Sorry, I have a meeting now”.
It was however learnt that internal connivance contributed to the success of the operation which was said to have lasted less than 30 minutes.