Police kill robbery suspect in Nasarawa state

The Police command in Nasarawa state said a suspected member of an armed robbery gang operating in Obi-Awe Local Government Area of the state had been shot dead.

Spokesman of the command, Mr Kennedy Idirisu, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia.

He said that the gang had mounted a road block around Imon village at about 8 a.m. before the police patrol team engaged them in a gun battle.

Idirisu said that the gang comprised five members and that one of them was shot dead while the others escaped with bullet wounds, adding that the police were on their trail.

He added that items recovered from the suspects included one AK 47 Rifle and 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

He stated that the command was committed to curbing the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state, especially during the ’ember’ months.

“We have identified virtually all the flash points for armed robbery and kidnapping in the state, especially along the roads and we have put measures in place to ensure the safety of those plying these roads,” he said.

The spokesman also said that the command would increase its motorised patrol along the roads beyond the identified spots as part of its new strategy.

He appealed to the public for cooperation that would facilitate the bursting of crime and reduction of criminality in the state.

Similarly, Idirisu said that the command on Oct. 17, foiled a bank robbery in Lafia and killed two suspects of a four-member gang in a gun duel.

He disclosed that policemen on guard duty at a commercial bank along Jos Road got a tip-off about the robbery gang and engaged them in a battle at about 10 a.m. in front of the bank.

He said the robbers drove in two vehicles – a Toyota Lexus Jeep with registration number EKY 282 DP and Toyota Corolla car marked FST 411 FH.

Idirisu said that one of the suspects was arrested, two died while receiving treatment at the Dalhatu Araf Hospital in Lafia, while one escaped with bullet wound.