The Chronicle’s in-depth investigation into last Friday’s foiled robbery at the Lashibi Vivian Farm branch of Access Bank Limited has revealed that two of the AK-47 assault rifles sent to the scene jammed and could not fire when it mattered most, as the police came face-to-face with the robbers.
This was not because of a charm, but the weapons lacked servicing. At that juncture, the lives of these policemen came under extreme danger, since the gangsters could have easily executed them.
Another explosive moment in that dawn’s response to the robbery call was when it was later discovered that a supposed security guard at the bank was, in fact, one of the robbers in a security guard uniform. He changed into that uniform after subduing the guard who they tied up and kept elsewhere.
The probe had it that in the early hours of last Friday, at about 0300 hours, a call got to the Sakumono Police that there was ongoing robbery at the Farm Vivian branch of Access Bank Limited.
The Sakumono Police patrols proceeded to the scene, and about 50 metres before the place met what would go for a getaway private car with the engine on. The police suspected the presence of the two occupants might have a link to the said ongoing robbery at the bank.
The personnel tactically got down and ensured the vehicle could not escape. Visibly standing at the security booth was a man supposed to be in the bank’s security uniform.
The armed policemen took various routes bordering the banking premises, and before they realised it, the man in the private security uniform ran into the banking hall.
Suddenly, multiple gunshots emerged from all directions. At this stage, two policemen with AK47 assault rifles attempted to gun down the robbers, but the weapons were unserviceable to the extent that they could not fire at the targets.
Though with the ineffective weapons the police personnel managed to pursue a number of the robbers who crossed the main Lashibi-Ashaiman road, but were nowhere to be found.
Combing the vicinity for the robbers, the police met a man who, after greeting at that ungodly hour, around 0400hrs, raised suspicion and when chased, scaled a wall into a compound house, but the occupants would not assist police to get hold of him as they failed to open their doors.
Going back to the scene, a bare-chested man shouted for help, only for him to inform the police that he was the actual security guard, but was subdued, his uniform taken and worn by a robber who then replaced him as the guard.
After the two vehicles were found with the arms and ammunition in them, three other patrol vehicles arrived to assist.
The post Police beat retreat at Lashibi robbery scene appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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