Posted by thetidenews.com on
Brass, the headquarters of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was like a theatre of war when over 20 gunmen engaged men of the Operation.....
Brass, the headquarters of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was like a theatre of war when over 20 gunmen engaged men of the Operation Restore Hope in a heavy gun battle that lasted several hours, early Sunday morning.
At the end of fierce the battle, the hoodlums succeeded in dislodging the security men before gaining entry into the council's strong room and reportedly made away with the sum of N45 million.
The money, according to a source close to the council, was withdrawn from a commercial bank in Yenagoa, for the payment of workers' July salary.
The Tide gathered that as a result of late arrival of the money, the council treasurer decided to keep the money at the council's vault till Monday when it will be used to pay the workers.
Getting wind of the huge amount, the gunmen were said to have approached the council's headquarters in two speed boats at about 3a.m on Sunday and received opposition from security men posted to the council.
The Tide was told that after overpowering the security men, the hoodlums used dynamite to destroy the strong room and carted away the money meant for payment of staff salary and contractors.
When contacted on phone, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Rafiz Ringim confirmed the story but said no life was lost in the incident.
According to him, police are working on the theory that there may have been an insider who leaked the arrival of the money to the hoodlums.
Efforts made by The Tide to speak to the Chairman of the council, Mr Ngo Sylva was not successful .