Armed robbers attack trader turned back by bank, snatch $11m

Suspected armed robbers on Friday afternoon operated at the Oke-Sokori axis of Abeokuta metropolis in Ogun State and escaped the scene with a substantial amount of foreign currency put at $11 million.

It was gathered that the robbery gang were in black T-shirts and Jean trousers, and also wore black facemasks.

They brandished their riffles on the street of the state capital.

The suspects escaped the scene with the money stacked in two “Ghana Must Go” bags after demobilising the car of their unsuspecting victim, a Hausa trader, who drove into the area in a Toyota Venza salon car, marked: ABC 565 GN.

It was also gathered that the robbery suspects, who operated in a tinted Toyota Camry “Muscle”, intercepted their victim right in front of the FATGBEMS Petroleum Filling Station at Oke-Sokori.

It was learnt that they forcefully halted the victim’s Toyota Venza and forced the car’s boot opened.

After gaining entry into the car, the suspects thereafter offloaded the two bags containing the foreign currency into their car and zoomed off with the victim’s car key before security operatives would arrive.

It was learnt that the victim, whose name could not be ascertained, was returning to his base after an unsuccessful banking attempt where he had gone to deposit the foreign currency.

During his narration, the Abeokuta-based Hausa trader told the police patrol team on rescue operation that he had earlier approached a bank at Oke-Ilewo for the purpose of depositing the money, but was turned back on the premise that banking hours had lapsed.

But while returning to his base, the armed robbers struck and the trader fell victim of the dare devil robbery gang.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said operatives of the command were already trailing the criminals.

Oyeyemi said: “It is quite unfortunate that the suspects escaped from the scene before our operatives arrived.

“But I want to assure you that we will definitely get them and bring them to justice.

“The command immediately, upon receipt of information about the incident, sent signal across the state to ensure that the suspects are tracked down.

“All our technical units have been activated and for sure, we will get them.

“I want to use this medium to assure the good people of Ogun State not to panic as there is no cause for alarm.

“You should remain calm, go about your normal and routine businesses because our men will surely track down the suspects.”