They were said to have ripped the bullion van open and made away with its entire contents while the two escort police vans were said to have skidded-off the road and collided into residential buildings.
The hoodlums, who were said to have used two vehicles, were not less than fifteen in number and were decked in red T-shirt and head covers including face caps, bandana, beret and others.
Source had it that the robbers in a commando style stormed Ubulu-Okiti where they ran into a detachment of policemen which resulted in fierce exchange of fire that sent shivers down the spines of travellers.
According to the eyewitness, in desperate bid to make forceful U-turn, some vehicles that were travelling on the route at the time of the incident somersaulted resulting in fatalities that were yet to be ascertained as at press time.
The eyewitness said he escaped death by the whiskers as the gunmen opened fire on policemen who had taken cover beside his car, killing four of them instantly.
The eyewitness said: “I was driving to Asaba when people started shouting robbers, robbers. As I was pulling aside, I saw policemen in their Hilux van coming to take cover and positioning to face the rampaging gang.
“But it was the gang members who struck first as they opened fire on the uniform men who laid dead instantly. Fortunately for me, no bullet hit me or my car. I just the saw the lifeless bodies of policemen.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, said she was not aware if anybody was killed, adding that those injured were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Source: Blueprint
