Police arrest 2 kingpins connected with Edo bank robbery.

THE hunt for the daredevil armed robbers, who attacked two banks at Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, seems to be yielding fruits as two of the suspected bandits were arrested in the bushes of the community yesterday by the police in collaboration with vigilante group members in the area. No fewer than six persons, including two policemen, died in the attack on two new generation banks in the area.

However, Edo State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, said the suspects were still being investigated to ensure that the wrong persons were not arrested. Following the robbery attack on the two banks, Ezike had deployed a crack team of detectives in the bushes of Igarra, to work with local vigilante groups in combing the bushes for the bandits. Ezike, who debunked reports that there was no response from the police during the deadly attack by the robbers, said: “I was on tour of police divisions in the state, when I heard about the attack and I can tell you that the first response that came from the police came through my escort team. It happened that I was in Edo North area when this happened.

“The problem we had in this area was bad network for communication, but I was able to mobilize our men, got the District Police Officer, DPO, at Ibillo to block the exit routes and that was how we opened fire on the Honda Odessa car. “Yes, we were working with the local vigilante groups because they know the terrain better. I have been an apostle of community policing. “We have about 7,800 policemen in Edo State, but the actual fighting force is less than 5,000. So we must partner with the communities, the vigilante groups, if we must make progress. “I met with the vigilante groups and we mobilized because our aim is to get it done; to get the bastards. It was the community and villagers who were giving us information.

“Over N4 million, 11 AK-47 rifles and another four assault rifles were recovered; and one of the robbers was shot dead inside the Honda Odessey, that is why my men remained in that bush. “Officers of Igarra Police Division pursued them. We recovered about 34 unexploded improvised explosive devices and arrested two people inside the bush (yesterday). But I said they must be interrogated before we ascertain whether they were involved. “Two people were picked up. The one we got yesterday (Wednesday) denied he was part of them until two bank officials identified him. “I am sure they came from Okene, through Ibillo. The one arrested is called Shaibu and he is from Okene.

“So we are working hard to ensure that all those involved in this dastardly act are arrested. They cannot commit this evil and escape; we will hunt them down, no matter how far they run.” Meanwhile, a leader of the vigilante group who spoke on condition of anonymity, said members were mobilized from Ojirami, Ojah axis, when it was learned the robbers had taken over Igarra. He said the vigilante members in the area immediately contacted their counterparts at Ososo, Makeke, Lampese and environs and were directed to barricade Ekpedo-Ekpe axis of the road with tyres, stones, logs and other obstacles across a distance of about 50 metres, which slowed down their movement.

The vigilante member said: “We have to swing into action to give support because they had already disorganized security at Igarra. We had to quickly call our members at Ojirami and Ojah, who then called others because we suspected they will pass through that axis. “The robbers shot and deflated the vehicle of the DPO in which police were pursuing them, after police had killed one of them. We mounted barricade near Ekpedo to slow down their movements. We did that with stones, tyres, logs and any hard object we could find. “We mounted barricades of almost 50 metres. So it really slowed them down. It disorganized them and they had to escape into the bush with some guns and abandoned the others and the cash. “The one that was caught on Tuesday night whistled, apparently to contact any of his men who may be in hiding, and a member of the vigilante group responded and that lured the suspect out.

“The two that were arrested yesterday in a forest near Makeke with gunshot wounds had wanted to disguise as farmers and come out of the forest. They failed because they could not change their clothing. “We suspect they are from Okene in Kogi State, because they were speaking Igbira.”