Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
Armed bandits who have suddenly turned Rivers State into a shooting range Wednesday struck at Onne in broad daylight, sending natives, motorists and even security men in the area scampering to safety
Armed bandits who have suddenly turned Rivers State into a shooting range Wednesday struck at Onne in broad daylight, sending natives, motorists and even security men in the area scampering to safety
But five persons were not so lucky. They were mowed down by blazing riffles, which announced the arrival of the killer gang intent on snatching millions of naira from two banks in the area, namely the Diamond bank and FSP International Bank.
Among those who died, according to our information were two mobile policemen, one reverend gentleman, and two of the robbers.
Since the daredevil raids aimed at banks began, this is the first time that any of the robbers would die in action.
It is not known how much was snatched from the bank but the Police in Port Harcourt confirmed the robbery, with eyewitnesses on the scene saying they left with Ghana-must-go bags stuffed with cash.
In some way, the modus operandi of the group that struck at Onne looked similar to that which took residents around Lagos Bus Stop by surprise.
They had heavy fire power and shot at random as they arrived the scene, not just to scare people but to kill and maim.
They also came by boat, with some sources suggesting they may have between nine and ten persons in number.
Of late banks have become clear targets of daredevil robbers.
In Bonny there have been two robberies at Hallmark Bank and All States Trust Bank.
Before the raid on Standard Trust Bank a few weeks ago, robbers struck at First Atlantic Bank along Ikwerre Road, killing a policeman.
As the news of the robbery spreads, many Rivers people are worried that in most cases the police have been unable to crack any of the robbery syndicates.
In almost all cases they say policemen are similarly killed with the police unable to avenge the death of their colleagues.
Said one angry youth, "What the police know is to collect bribes on the road and harass innocent passers-by. How come despite their official and unofficial check-points, robbers still operate with ease in Rivers State?"
That is the question to which there are no answers at the moment.
At Onne, police moved in to beef up security in the area, positioning its men at strategic points around the community which equally houses a naval training institute.
As at the time of going to press, the names of those who were slaughtered were not disclosed.
The Telegraph put across a call to the chairman of the Eleme Local Government Council, Chief Ngomah Ejoh who hails from the area at least to obtain his reaction to the incident.
An aide who answered the call claimed the chairman was attending a security meeting at the time and confirmed there had indeed been a robbery in the area.