Several injured as police and armed robbers engage in gun battle at First Bank

Several persons were injured yesterday, January 21, in a failed attempt by robbers to rob a bullion van about to discharge a large amount of cash at First Bank, Mile One Branch, Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Several vehicles parked in front of the bank situated along  Ikwerre road were also destroyed in the failed robbery attack.

The armed robbers who had trailed the bullion van to the bank shot sporadically to scare people but were challenged by policemen escorting the bullion van.

The Rivers state police command in a press statement confirmed the incident, saying it happened at about 3:25 pm.


Rivers police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad said: “Suspected armed robbers in a black Toyota Camry laid a siege and attacked a bullion van conveying huge amount of money to the bank.

“Swift and brave counter attack by policemen escorting the van forced the assailants to retreat and escape abandoning their operational rifle thus giving the van driver the opportunity to safely drive the van into the bank premises.

“Policeman and a bank official sustained gunshot wounds, they were later rushed to hospital for treatment.

“One AK-47 rifle loaded with eighty four rounds of 7.62 live ammunition staked in four magazines were recovered.”

He debunked reports that the robbers operated unchallenged.

The state police command assured the people of Rivers state of being out there at all times to confront any security challenge.