Posted by By Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan on
More facts have emerged over the robbery attack on a commercial bank in Idi-Ape,Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, as investigations have revealed that the leader of the 40-man armed robbery gang, who is at large, is the son of a retired military officer, while his younger brother, named Goddey John Itseki, has been arrested by the policemen.
More facts have emerged over the robbery attack on a commercial bank in Idi-Ape,Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, as investigations have revealed that the leader of the 40-man armed robbery gang, who is at large, is the son of a retired military officer, while his younger brother, named Goddey John Itseki, has been arrested by the policemen.
The 18-year-old Goddey confessed to the police that he and his brother had planned the operation and that he is the armourer of the gang. According to him, two gangs combined to execute yesterday's operation and that one team was from Enugu state while the other one was from Lagos.
He further disclosed that their base is at Eti-Osa village, in Idi-Ape area of Ibadan, adding that before operation, members that want to participate would first assemble at Idi-Ape, where ammunition would be distributed.
'We have our base at Eti-Osa, in Idi-Ape. That is where we keep our arms and ammunition. I am in the custody of the arms, while my brother is the team leader,' he told the police. An AK 47 rifle with 23 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from Goddey.
Investigations further revealed that all the four sons of the retired military officer are robbers. P.M. News gathered that, early today, the father of the robbers was seen at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Dugbe, attempting to bail out one of his sons who has been in the police net for another robbery case. The bail was, however, denied by the police, while the identity of the father was yet to be ascertained.
However, the names of the policemen gunned down in the robbery attack were given as ASP Patrick Dugbogbo, with Force number 186066; Sergeant Isiaka Timothy, F/No. 363440; Police Constable Togunloju Oluyemi, F/No. 432420; Police Constable Jeremiah Agbunu, while Muritala Adediran, who sustained injuries on his leg, is currently receiving treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH).
The civilians confirmed dead by the police are Sunmonu Musibau, 55; Lukman and one motorcycle rider, whose name is yet unknown. Contrary to media reports, P.M. News gathered that over ten people died during the attack and their bodies have been deposited at the UCH. Speaking on the incident, Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adebayo Adeniji, disclosed that the stiff resistance from the combined anti-robbery team forced the robbers to flee and abandon one of their buses at Olorunda area. Also speaking this morning, the UCH Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kunle Atinwore, said that no casualties have been recorded apart from the seven that died yesterday.
He said about 30 people who were seriously injured during the operation are responding to treatment. 'As I am talking to you, our doctors have done a wonderful job by stabilising all the patients who were seriously injured during the armed robbery operation, yesterday. Those on danger list are now stabilised. They are all responding to treatment as at the time I was in the emergency ward. There is no cause for alarm,' Atinwore stated.
Those who visited the scene of the robbery incident include the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bashiru Azeez, and ACP Operation, Mr. Shola Davids, among others.