Two officials of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Branch 1, Asaba, the Cash Management Officer, Amina Oyewole and the Chief Security Officer, have been apprehended by the Delta State Police Command over alleged robbery incident.
In a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamaka, on behalf of the Command and obtained by HardReporters correspondent, said two drivers were also arrested alongside the bank officials.
The command’s image maker stated that the arrest followed an armed robbery attack which occurred Tuesday, September 5, 2017 between Otulu and Ubulu-Okiti, along Asaba/Benin expressway, Delta State.
“Their arrest followed a preliminary investigation into the attack which revealed that, in a bid to cut corners, the bank officials illegally picked seven police officers from different locations, yet to be determined, and engaged them on an illegal escort for the conveyance of the sum of twenty-five million naira from its branch in Agbor to Asaba without using a serviceable, secure armored bullion van as required by law.
“The bank staff had earlier approached the Command for escort but their request was not approved. Needless to state that when the bank officials earlier approached the Operations Department of the Command for escort men their request was turned down on the grounds that the bank does not have a serviceable bullion van needed for such operations.
“Sadly, during the attack, one of the police escorts was fatally injured by the armed robbers who also emptied the twenty-five million naira (N25, 000,000.00) into their cars- a Honda Pilot Jeep and Toyota Corolla, Registration numbers unknown and escaped.” warning that henceforth banks requiring police escort must adhere to laid down regulations on specie escort especially during the ”ember” months.
The Command however reassured members of the public as no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the fleeing armed robbers are apprehended and brought to book even as it and called on the public to avail it of any information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers.
