The Rivers State Police command, has begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing of a police corporal and the driver of a Hilux Toyota vehicle by unidentified armed robbers at the premises of Diamond Bank, Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ben Ugbeulum who gave the indication in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Monday confirmed that the police officer and the driver were among others who had gone to the bank on that day to withdraw some money.

They were however gunned down by the robbers who later made away with the money in two “Ghana Must Go” bags.

The PPRO also said that the effort of the Diobu Police Division paid off as the sum of N1.5million was later recovered from the fleeing robbers.

However, residents of Port Harcourt have called on the police to beef up security at the Ikwerre Road axis of the city.

A cross section of the people who spoke to The Tide on the issue at the bank’s premises described the  incident as a big shock.

The Port Harcourt Bureau Chief of the Vanguard Newspaper, Mr George Onah whose vehicle was damaged by stray bullets told newsmen that he was lucky to have escaped the robbers’ attack.

According to him, he was driving out of the premises of the bank when four young men entered the premises and started shooting.

He also stressed the need for the police to beef up security around the area.

A trader who spoke under condition of anonymity also urged for increased security around banks in the area.

Meanwhile,  in order to tackle robbery during the ‘ember’ months, traders at the Mile One Market in Port Harcourt, have urged the police to beef up security around the market.

The traders, who were reacting to the robbery incident at a Diamond Bank branch, on Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt on Monday, told newsmen that there was need for security to be beefed up around the market.