Soldier arrested over bullion van robbery

Seven suspects, including a soldier, have been arrested over the attack on a bullion van in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

According to situation report of the police, the suspects were arrested by operatives of the inspector-general of police intelligence response team (IRT) of the inspector-general of police (IGP).

The incident, which occurred at Ezzamgbo junction, in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi last week, led to the deaths of four policemen escorting the van which was transporting money from Enugu to Abakaliki.

A soldier attached to Command Day Secondary School, Nigeria Army Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos, and a dismissed soldier who was attached to 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri, Borno state, were among the suspects.

Some improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one GPMG, six riffles, 51 AK 47 magazines, 1,620 ammunition, two vehicles, breaking instruments and charms were recovered from the suspects.

“The suspects upon interrogation confessed to the Bullion Van robbery in Ebonyi State where four policemen were killed with many other armed robberies/kidnappings across the South east and south South,” the report read.

“The suspects also confessed that four out of the rifles recovered belongs to the policemen they killed during the robbery.

“The suspects are assisting the police with information on how to arrest other gang members who are on the run.”