A billion van belonging to a yet-to-be identified commercial bank has been attacked by gunmen in Ogbor Nguru Nwankwo of Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State.
Eyewitness said the driver was returning from Mbaise to Owerri, the state capital after delivering money in the vehicle before he was ambushed by the gunmen who had given him a hot chase. He was accompanied by a bank staff and a police escort.
It was learnt the locals took to their heels following the heavy gunfire. „In a bid to rob the van, the robbers ambushed the driver, such that the vehicle somersaulted and crashed into other parked vehicles. It was a miracle he didn‘t die,“ the source said.
According to him, the incident occurred around the popular General Hospital, Ogbor-Nguru at about 1:30pm yesterday.
The robbers allegedly fired several shots at the van from Ahiara junction in a bid to intercept the vehicle. It eventually somersaulted at General Hospital, Ogbor-Nguru.
The source said the bullion van had already been emptied before the gunmen struck.
One of the occupants sustained gunshot wounds and bled even as the vehicle was filled with blood but was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment.
The police spokesperson, Michael Abattam, said there was a robbery attack but maintained the van was empty at the time of the incident.
Abattam said, „Sketchy information revealed that the bullion van was returning after delivering money and was attacked by hoodlums.
The driver on noticing it, tried to escape; unfortunately, his vehicle crashed. No money was carted away,“ he said, adding that full details would be released
