There was an attack on a bullion van conveying cash from a new generation bank in Aba to Umuahia today, Wednesday.
The incident has been confirmed by spokesperson of the Abia State Police command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna.
According to Ogbonna, the robbers laid an ambush for the bullion van on the Enugu–Port Harcourt expressway.
On sighting the bullion van and escort team, they opened fire on them, making the driver of the van swerve into the bush.
The incident saw a yet-to-be-identified official of the bank who was escorting the cash killed.
One of the robbers was killed on the spot, while three police officers were injured.
Ogbonna added that an AK47 rifle with three loaded magazines strapped was recovered from the robbers.
According to him, “Based on a distress call, teams of tactical operatives were dispatched to the scene. At the scene, one inspector Leo Francis of CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) base 4 Aba was met and he stated that he along with five others while escorting a bullion van from Aba to Umuahia ran into a gang of armed robbers who had barricaded the high way and were firing sporadically.
“Efforts made to stop the bullion van and escort vehicle yielded no dividend as the driver veered into the bush.
“The cash officer accompanying the bullion van was shot dead on the spot, 3 policemen on escort sustained bullet injuries while one of the armed robbers was neutralized and his AK 47, rifle with 90 rounds of ammunition was recovered.
“The injured policemen were rushed to the hospital while the deceased, are deposited in the morgue for preservation. An investigation has been Commenced. The robbers were said to have carted away with an undisclosed sum of cash.”
Ogbonna called on hospitals in the state to report anyone in their facilities with bullet wounds for investigation as some of the robbers fled with bullet injuries.