The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday in Abuja said it had foiled an armed robbery attack on an Access Bank branch in Port Harcourt, Rivers, on Dec. 22, 2016.
In a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Don Awunah, the Force said five suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery.
The suspects include: Samuel Ndudiri, 28 (staff of the Bank), a principal suspect,Ex-sergeant Promise Ukwuoma 26, Samuel Nwala, 28,Lucky Ukwuoma,26, and Kaale Taagabah,27.
He said that items recovered from them are: two AK 47 Rifles and magazines fully loaded with Ammunition and a welding machine.
Others are: two gas cylinders and iron cutters, big Chisel, cutting saw,hammer and acetylene gas power.
He said that the suspects and others still at large broke down the well-fortified security doors and barriers and took over the banking hall.
Awunah said the hoodlums were almost pulling down the vault of the bank before the joint Police Teams of IGP’s Intelligence Response Team disloged them.
He said that the suspects relied on information and active involvement of one of the staff of the Bank to break down the security doors of the bank.
The spokesman said that the principal suspect who is a staff of the bank was arrested based on the confessional statements by three suspects arrested at the scene of the crime.
He said the arrest of the principal suspect led to the arrest of Ex-sergeant Ukwuoma who participated actively in the robbery.
“All the suspects have volunteered confessional and useful statements to the Police about the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime,“he said.
Awunah said concerted efforts were being intensified to arrest other suspects still at large and bring them to justice.
He said the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation.(NAN)