Tragedy struck on Thursday in Abaji Area Council of Abuja, as three individuals lost their lives in a fierce gun battle between a combined team of Nigerian Police and Military personnel, and a 15-man gang attempting to rob First Bank PLC.
According to a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Friday, the police received a distress call around 5:00 PM and swiftly mobilized a team led by Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, to the scene.
The security forces collaborated to repel the attack, which was simultaneously launched on both the Abaji Divisional Police headquarters and the bank.
The armed robbers, equipped with dynamites, attempted to breach the bank’s security, but the police and military responded promptly, engaging them in a intense gun duel.
The suspects were forced to flee, sustaining various degrees of bullet wounds.
Three suspects, identified as Usman (surname unknown), the alleged gang leader, Nuhu Musa, 41, and Muhammed Aminu, 25, were apprehended with severe bullet injuries. An unidentified suspect was set ablaze by an angry mob after being neutralized by the security forces.
Unfortunately, one police operative and the gang leader succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the hospital, while others remain under treatment. A search operation is ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects with bullet injuries.
CP Igweh commended the effectiveness of the combined operation and reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the Federal Capital Territory remains unsafe for criminals, emphasizing that the safety of residents is non-negotiable.
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