There was pandemonium yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital following a robbery attack on a popular boutique along the Amarata area of the state capital.
The gun men are suspected to be members of a cult group in the state.
The armed attack,which occurred at about 7pm,led to the shooting of the two traders.
Eyewitness account told our correspondent that the armed men,who posed as customers, capitalized on the unusual quietness of the area due to the harsh economy which seems to have engulfed the state since the Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson embarked on leave.
While many residents alleged that the armed men were suspected members of a cult group in the OMPADEC and Amarata areas of the state,others claimed that the robbery attack may have been carried out to cart away huge sales made on the fateful day.
It was further gathered that the armed men ordered that the two attendants hands them over the day’s proceeds and some valuables, but they were provoked by the small amount of cash handed to them which made them to shoot the two shop attendants on duty.
They were shot at close range and had to be rushed to the nearest hospital at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), even as one of the guns reportedly used by the armed men fell off during crime.
When we visited the scene,the two injured store keepers were reportedly taken to the hospital but security operatives led by the State Anti-Robbery squad were seen examining the scene of the crime.
When contacted for confirmation, the spokesman of the State Police Command,Mr.Alex Akhigbe said though the police is yet to ascertain if it was a cult attack or armed robbery, the attackers did not take anything away from the boutique, but a shot was fired which injured the two attendants.
