Five Bank Robbery Suspects Killed During Gun Battle In Rivers

Lately, five robbery suspects that allegedly snatched a bag from a man leaving a new generation bank Calabar were yesterday shot dead by operatives of the Cross River state Police command. One of the robbery suspects was said to have been released from the Afokang prison barely two weeks ago for robbery.

The five suspects allegedly dispossessed the man of his handbag containing money and other valuables as he stepped out of the bank prompting him to raise alarm which attracted the police and other passers-by.

According to an eye witness said the robbers were pursued from Calabar Road to Barracks Road, opposite Government Secondary School, where there was an exchange of gunfire with the police leading to their death “At about 2.30 pm, we heard gun shots only to discover that a Police vehicle was pursuing some people, who were driving an SUV. The Police were shooting and the robbers were replying but we later discovered that the State Police Anti-Robbery Squad over powered them as five of them were killed”

She said the exchange of gunfire was fierce opposite the school, and when the robbers suspected that they were being overpowered, they attempted to run away which helped the Police to gun them down. “They have just been taken to the Police headquarters and we counted four of them while one was still breathing as at the time they drove away from here”one Anita Okon, who lives close to scene, said.

Cross River State Police Command, Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident. “I have just confirmed that some robbers have been intercepted and killed along Barracks Road” she said when our correspondent called her for confirmation.