Armed Robbers Attack Army Patrol, Killing Soldier and Escaping with Cash in Daylight Siege – Benin City
In a shocking incident reminiscent of a movie scene, a group of heavily armed robbers carried out a daring daylight attack on an army patrol van in Benin City. The audacious criminals managed to kill a soldier and escape with sacks believed to be filled with cash.
The incident occurred when three soldiers were traveling in their military vehicle towards the Ikpoba-hill axis. The assailants, exhibiting no fear, ambushed them at a traffic light along Akpakpava road, near First Junction in the bustling Benin metropolis.
The area, known as a major commercial center, quickly turned into a chaotic scene as shops were swiftly closed and people sought cover to avoid stray bullets.
The robbers utilized an unmarked ash-colored Toyota Camry car and brazenly drove against the traffic, directly confronting the army vehicle. Two of the four occupants then got out of their car and unleashed a hail of bullets on the unsuspecting soldiers.
Under the onslaught, the three soldiers abandoned their patrol vehicle and the loaded Ghana-must-go bag, fleeing in different directions to save their lives.
Tragically, one of the soldiers was not able to escape. He fell down and succumbed to his injuries around 84 meters away from the site of the attack, becoming a casualty of the assailants’ bullets.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the attackers swiftly grabbed the bag from the military patrol van. They proceeded to deposit it into their waiting Toyota Camry car and sped away from the scene.
Remarkably, this incident marks a significant daylight operation, reminiscent of the notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini and his gang members who were arrested and executed in Benin years ago.
Chidi Nwabuzor, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the incident and provided details. He stated that the hoodlums managed to kill a soldier after attacking a military patrol vehicle at the first Junction along Akpakpava Road in Benin City, shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Nwabuzor added, A concerned citizen reported the incident at the local police station. The criminals made off with a Ghana-Must-Go bag that is believed to have contained a substantial amount of cash kept in the army van.
Considering that the soldiers were on patrol, it can be assumed that they were armed. The assailants seemed to have acted on specific information. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the motives and all other related aspects of this brazen attack.
The robbery in broad daylight has left the residents of Benin City shocked and concerned about the increasing audacity of criminals. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened security measures in order to safeguard both the military personnel and civilians alike.
