Robbers steal N3.5m in Minna in early morning raid

Saka Bolaji, Minna

Residents of Kwangila area in the heart of Minna, the Niger state capital were on Monday morning thrown into confusion as a five -man gang of armed robbers held them hostage in the course of carrying out their robbery operation.

Meanwhile, the state police command has begun a manhunt for the five daredevil armed robbers who robbed officials of the Niger state Judicial Reform Committee in Minna.

It was learnt that the robbers were said to have trailed the officials from a first generation bank after a business transaction at about 9.30am.

According to sources, the Judicial Reform Committee officials numbering four, including the driver of the bus had just withdrawn close to N3.5million from the bank and were heading towards their office when almost two kilometres from the bank they were blocked by the gun totting robbers.

One of the robbers with an AK47 rifle stopped all ongoing vehicles while another blocked the commission’s bus and other vehicles from the rear.

An eyewitness narrated to our correspondent that “they shot sporadically into the air thereby making other motorists and those within the vicinity to scamper for safety.”

It was learnt that three other members of the gang also wielding pistols opened the door to the bus with registration number NGSG 22 Judiciary and demanded for the money the officials had just collected from the bank.

The money packed in a “Ghana must go bag” was handed over to the robbers who immediately took off leaving members of the ever busy community close to the Minna General Hospital petrified.

By the time the police came to the robbery scene, the robbers had escaped while the traumatized officials were taken to the police station for questioning about the robbery.

Daily Times gathered that no one was however, injured during the daring robbery operation and as at the time of filing this report the officials were still helping the police in their investigation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar when contacted confirmed the story.

He added that “we are aware of what happened; we have despatched our men to go after them and we are confident that the long arms of the law will catch up with them sooner than later.”