During a joint operation between the Nigerian Police and the Military to thwart a planned bank robbery at the First Bank PLC in Abaji, Abuja, three individuals lost their lives in a gunfight.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the incident occurred on Thursday following a distress call around 5:00 PM. Upon receiving the alert, the FCT police, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, coordinated with the military to swiftly respond to the scene. The armed men, numbering about 15, attempted to rob the bank using dynamites.
Security forces engaged the assailants in a fierce exchange of gunfire, resulting in the repulsion of the attack on both the Abaji Divisional Police headquarters and the bank. The armed robbers sustained various degrees of bullet wounds during the confrontation and fled the scene to evade capture.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in the capture of three suspects: Usman (surname yet to be identified), reportedly the leader of the gang, along with Nuhu Musa, aged 41, and Muhammed Aminu, aged 25, all sustaining serious gunshot wounds.
Another suspect, whose identity remains unknown, was subdued by the security forces and subsequently set on fire by an enraged crowd at the scene.
Following the confrontation, one police officer and the gang leader, both wounded by bullets, were swiftly transported to the hospital for medical attention. Regrettably, they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead by attending physicians, while the remaining injured individuals continue to receive medical care.
Meanwhile, a search operation is underway to apprehend any fleeing suspects who sustained gunshot wounds. Commissioner of Police Igweh commended the effectiveness of the joint operation and reiterated the command’s unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of FCT residents, emphasizing that the security of the region is of utmost importance and not up for negotiation.