Robbers escape through canal with N6m

A six-man armed robbery gang on Tuesday in Lagos attacked and robbed some traders, who were coming from Cotonou in Benin Republic, of N6m.

PUNCH METRO learnt that suspected robbers on three motorcycles forced the commercial bus in which the traders were travelling to a halt at Mile 2 on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

One of the traders, who identified himself simply as Akin, said the robbers subsequently ransacked the bus and robbed the traders of their money. He added, that one of the traders was shot by the robbers.

“They initially argued whether they should hijack the bus, but resolved that we should be robbed there. They collected all the money with us (traders) and even took some of our goods,” he said.

It was learnt that some residents of the area, who were attracted to the scene by the shooting, later alerted the police.

But PUNCH METRO gathered that the robbers abandoned their motorcycles and escaped with their loot through a canal in the area as soon as they sighted the police.

Spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, who confirmed the incident, expressed hope that the suspects would soon be arrested.

“There was no casualty and the traders have given valuable information to the police,” he said.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011035384575