*Gov. Ikpeazu troubled by increasing robbery and kidnapping attacks in Aba, as businessmen consider relocation to safer areas
Loading ...Tension has enveloped the business community in Aba, Abia state as gunmen on Monday, snatched N3.5 million from a staff of a transport company at 9am along Asa road at the heart of the city.
247ureports.com gathered that the robbers were alleged to have successfully robbed a female staff of Peace Mass Transit who was on her way to a nearby commercial bank to lodge the money when the mobile policemen who were in their patrol van ran into them.
On sighting the Police team, the gunmen opened fire which injured two policemen as they made away with the money in the confusion while the police took the victims to the hospital.
According to an eyewitness, “The robbers had already robbed their target, took the money which the lady was carrying when the policemen who were on patrol ran into them. I don’t think that the police team saw them on time and were not even coming after them. But the robbers didn’t want to take chances and immediately opened fire at the policemen.”
The situation caused confusion in the area as business owners hurriedly shut their shops for fear of police arrest. As at 2.30pm, normal business activities have resumed at the area.
Sources further told 247ureports.com that Gov.Okezie Ikpeazu is deeply troubled by the increasing level of kidnapping and armed robbery in Aba. The governor who reportedly met with the Police authorities in state is annoyed that despite the donation of 20 vehicles to the police, the level of crime has hit the rooftop in Aba.
As calm returned to the area, a cross section of businessmen in the city gathered in clusters wondering how a gang of robbers could storm the city centre in broad day light, successfully rob and sometimes kidnap their victims, without challenge by the security agencies. Many of them said they are considering relocating their businesses to safer states.
Police sources told our correspondent that the injured policemen are now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital, while the police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing gunmen.
