The Nigerian Police Force over the weekend foiled a robbery operation on a on a supermarket in Ikot Effa area of Calabar, Cross River State, leading to the death of one of the suspected armed robbers while the other was apprehended.
During a gun duel between the Police and the men of the underworld, two of the robbers were apprehended while four others were said to have escaped. Report also says one of the suspected armed robbers died in the process.
It was gathered that the police acted upon a distress calls by one of the neighbours of the supermarket owner.
The items recovered by the Police from the suspected hoodlums include; a 42 rounds of ammunition and locally-made pistol, mobile phones, electronic devices among others.
According to the supermarket owner, Mr. Akpan Ekerette, his first thought that the armed robbers were customers but was shocked when two of them came up to him at the counter, demanding he give them all the money on him.
Ekerette said, “At first I didn’t know they were armed robbers because they were about five that came into the store, while others stood outside. Some were also in a red Audi saloon car. One of the suspects, who was eventually killed, hit me on the head with his gun and ordered me to bring money.
“I directed him to my drawer where I had close to N500, 000, including cash from the day’s sales. That was when I started screaming and my neighbours alerted the police who came in less than five minutes and the armed robbers started shooting, during the exchange of fire they apprehended two of them while others escaped.”
The supermarket owner said the attack marked the second time this year that armed robbers would be visiting his supermarket.
He said “This is the second time they are attacking me this year. If not that the police responded on time I wonder what would have happened to me because apart from the money they took, they were also packing items from my shop including beverages and drinks”.
According to the Police one of the two robbery suspects arrested later at about 12am as a result of injuries sustained during the gun battle.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, while confirming the incident noted that members of the public played an important part in the success of the operation for calling on the attention of the police when it mattered.
“It was the timely tip-off that made it possible for us to get to the scene promptly. If this trend is maintained, the police will definitely rid the state of criminals. These armed robbers are not invincible. Useful information can go a long way in foiling their plans,” the state PPRO said.
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