How police foiled Abuja First Bank robbery

A combination of speed, strategy, co operation and technology deployed by security agencies including police, army etc were  major factors that foiled the attempts to rob the Mpape branch of First Bank in Abuja early Saturday of December 29.

According to eye witness accounts who volunteered information to OpenLife, no sooner had the robbers menacingly gained access into the bank premises than members of the community altered the police and military to their presence in the bank before they could conclude their business.

The security personnel did not waste time in responding as multiples of vans belonging to the police and the Army bearing personnel armed to the teeth were deployed to the bank. The security personal cordoned off the bank and the robbers were forced to stay inside the bank for over four hours.

However, one of the robbers who tried to escape during the standoff was killed by the police as confirmed by  the Federal Capital Territory police Command..A statement by ASP Mariam Yusuf, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the command, said the prompt response to a distress call by operatives of the command foiled the attempted robbery of the bank.

“Police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene and engaged in cross fire with the robbers thereby foiling the attack on the bank. “The operation, with the backup of soldiers, led to the arrest of four suspects and killing of one person while trying to escape,” she said.

Yusuf added the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr Bala Ciroma had ordered discreet investigation into the incident. She called on FCT residents to remain calm, as normalcy had been restored and pledged the commitment of the police to nip crime in the bud and ensure safety in the territory.

The bank is located in a settlement just a few metres away from the highbrow Maitama with barracks of military officers, including that of the elite presidential Brigade of Guards. Meanwhile, the public has been advised to  call on the police through this phone numbers 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 or 08028940883 in case of emergency.