Gunmen Attack Bullion Van in Ibadan, Kill Policemen, Others
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Armed robbers on Thursday attacked a billion van in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, and allegedly killed two policemen and some civilians.
It was learnt that the gunmen hijacked the billion van which belonged to one of the banks immediately it left the bank at Idi Ape junction, opposite a private school.
The bank is located few metres away from the Testing Ground Police station which houses one of the area commands of the Nigeria Police Force in state.
It was gathered that the two policemen allegedly killed during the attack were some of the officers that were accosting the bullion van.
Blood stains were seen everywhere while the bullion van was riddled with bullets with its glasses shattered and tires burst.
It was learnt that the gunmen who were masked men trailed the van from Iwo road to Mary Hill junction, leading to the Nigerian Army Officers’ Mess road where it was riddled with bullets while the robbers made away with the money.
The gunmen during the attack shot sporadically while the operation lasted a development which made some residents of Ibadan to send emergency messages to their loved ones to steer clear of the area.
One of the messages read, “Breaking…Please be careful. Bank Robbery at Idi Ape, BANK ROBBERY: KINDLY KEEP OFF IWO ROAD TESTING GROUND POLICE STATION AREA, IDI APÈ AREA WHERE SERIOUS ROBBERY IS HAPPENING NOW. BEWARE AND BE WISE. BEST REGARDS”.
A resident of the area who asked not to be named, confirmed that some innocent people were also killed during the attack.
He said, “They killed the policemen and some innocent citizens. The bullion van was attacked at the Idi-Ape junction, opposite Mary Hills. Soldiers are now in the area”.
Another resident of the area, who identified himself as Waheed Adegoke, said the robbers attacked the bullion van and carted away money from it.
He said, “The armed robbers attacked a vehicle conveying money at Idi-Ape. It happened at that junction where traffic light was. Some lives were lost but I don’t know the exact number. The situation is terrible!”
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko, while speaking with journalists, during a visit to the scene of the attack, described it as a calculated attack by the assailants, disclosing that all routes leading in and out of the state have been blocked.
According to her, “You can see the Amotekun, the police men, everyone is here working hand in hand so that we can get the people involved and get the root of what has happened today.
“I will give more information on this when we finally get the details of what actually happened. One of the police men on escort with the bullion van shot dead one of the robbers and they carried the robber that was shot with them.
“First of all I have to say it is an unfortunate incident, we just finished the retreat and I am coming from the airport directly here. It was a coordinated attack but we are still trying to find out what actually happened because they trailed the bullion van from where it took the money from and where it want to dispense it, we could see the shot they made, they were indeed prepared.
“We can’t actually say what went wrong now l, all the exit and borders that lead to Oyo State have all been blocked. So, we are trying our possible best to get them to know what actually happened.
“Nobody was killed as of now, and in fact, I can’t really say anything now because I am still trying to assess the situation and to find out what actually happened but I can tell you sure that two of my men were shot on leg. Let’s just do our investigation and then we will be able to tell you and give you more details”.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
