A brazen armed robbery attempt on Thursday in the Abaji area council of the, Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) turned deadly, resulting in the killing of a police officer and the death of two suspects.
The robbers, who arrived at the scene in two unmarked vehicles, first targeted the police station along Toto Road, where they shot and killed Inspector Abila.
The Inspector, who was on duty at the time, managed to escape with his life, but not before being fatally shot.
The robbers then proceeded to the FirstBank branch located near the roundabout, where they opened fire on the bank and its staff.
Although they were unable to break into the strong room, they made off with some cash from the counter.
The robbery attempt was met with swift resistance from a combined team of police officers, soldiers, vigilantes, and hunters.
The ensuing gun battle resulted in the deaths of two of the robbers. An angry mob then seized one of the corpses and set it ablaze.
FCT Police Commissioner CP Benneth Igweh arrived at the scene and confirmed that two of the robbers had been shot dead during the exchange of gunfire with security forces.
He praised the bravery of the security agents who responded to the attack and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased Inspector Abila.
The police have also deployed anti-robbery squads and hunters to track down any remaining suspects.
