Robbers Snatch N16m In Onitsha, Injure Six

Four armed robbers last Wednesday snatched N16 million from a customer of a leading bank at the Main Market in Onitsha.

Our correspondent gathered that the robbers, who stormed the frontage of the bank at about 2 p.m., shot at the two legs of the man before dispossessing him of his money.

An eyewitness said that the four robbers, armed with AK47 rifles, came to the bank’s premises on two motorcycles, adding that they shot five other persons during the operation.

“The robbers trailed the man to the front of the bank. He came to withdraw some money at the bank close to Sir Emeka Ofor Plaza on Bright Street in the Main Market, Onitsha.

“After withdrawing the money, the man was trying to enter his car when the robbers pounced on him. They shot him in his two legs and dispossessed him of the N16 million he packed in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bag.

“After seizing the money, the robbers shot into the air sporadically and moved through Nottidge Street to Venn Road South, from where they disappeared,’’ the eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, told newsmen.

Our correspondent gathered that some policemen, who immediately pursued the fleeing robbers in five vehicles, were, however, not able to apprehend the robbers, as their vehicles could not pass through the narrow paths which the robbers’ motorcycles took.

When contacted, Mr Larry Osita, the Police Area Commander in Onitsha and Mr Nnamdi Unobuagha, the Chairman, Onitsha Main Market Traders Association (OMMATA), said that they were not around when the incident occurred.

However, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra, confirmed the robbery, saying: “The police are on top of the situation and investigations have commenced.”

Onitsha, the commercial hub of the South-East geo-political zone, had recorded a low incidence of armed robbery in the last four months.