The Police in Anambra State have confirmed foiling a robbery attack at a bank in Ihiala town, Ihiala Local Government Area.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said during the attack, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the bank was hit on the leg by stray bullet, and was been taken to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
Tochukwu further alleged that the attack was carried out by members of the Indigenous People of Brafia (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Nkwo market, Ihiala, at about 12:30pm on Tuesday.
He said the groups also disrupt commercial activities and vehicular movement in Ihaila, while attempting to enforce sit-at-home order in the area.
The statement read: “Following the improved Operational and strategic positioning of both human and viable assets of the command by the CP Echeng Echeng, the joint security forces comprising of the Police and Military by 12:30 pm on 9/5/2023 dispersed illegal sit-at-home enforcers from the proscribed Indigenous People of Brafia (IPOB) and Eastern security Network (ESN) in Nkwo market, Ihiala.
“The outlawed group members armed with guns and other dangerous weapons came out in their numbers on a motorbike and started shooting sporadically, in an attempt to rob a bank and to disrupt commercial activities and vehicular movement going on in Ihaila.
“The joint operatives responded swiftly which made the armed men abandon their evil plan and took to their heels.
“Unfortunately, due to the indiscriminate shootings by the armed group, a stray bullet hit the chief security officer CSO of the bank on the leg and he has been taken to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. No life was lost.”
Meanwhile, calm has returned in the area as the Police, with other security forces, have intensified patrols, and improved security dominance and surveillance in the State.
In the event of any request for security service, members of the public are advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number at *07039194332* or the Public Relations Officer PRO at *08039334002*. The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively.”