Bank official killed, 3 police officers injured as gunmen attack bullion van in Abia

The Abia police command says a bank official has been killed, following an attack on a bullion van in the state.

Geoffrey Ogbonna, Abia police spokesperson, confirmed the development on Wednesday.

According to him, the gunmen attacked the van on Tuesday at Ntigha junction, near Umuahia, the Abia capital.

He said the van was conveying cash from a bank in Aba to Umuahia when it ran into an ambush by the gunmen.

Ogbonna said six officers attached to the “28 PMF Umuahia and Counter-terrorist Unit Base 4, Aba” were the police escorts at the scene of the incident, adding that the gunmen opened fire on the bullion van, which caused the driver to swerve into the bush.

A bank official was shot dead, while one of the gunmen was also killed during the shootout.

Items recovered from the attackers were listed as one AK-47 rifle, as well as ammunition in three magazines.

Ogbonna said three of the officers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital, while the deceased had been deposited at a morgue.

The police spokesman added that investigation into the incident had commenced.

He also appealed to residents and medical personnel to report anyone with suspected gunshot injuries to security agencies.