Gunmen Ambush Army Patrol Van, Kill Soldier, Steal Bags Of Money In Benin

Unknown gunmen on Wednesday attacked an Army patrol van in Edo State, killing a soldier and carting away bags believed to have been loaded with cash.

Naija News learnt that three soldiers were heading towards Ikpoba Hill with a military vehicle when the gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, struck at the traffic lights along Akpakpava Road by First Junction around 2.10 pm.

The suspects drove an unmarked Toyota Camry car against the traffic, facing the military vehicle as two of the four occupants allegedly alighted and opened fire on the soldiers.

The three soldiers reportedly abandoned their patrol vehicle and the sacks as they took to their heels.

Eyewitnesses said one of the soldiers was bleeding after the incident, while the armed men took the bags from the patrol van after the soldiers had fled.

A shop owner said, “One of the three soldiers fell while running away, he tried to get up, but he couldn’t, he was bleeding. Later, his two other colleagues came to meet him but they were helpless.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said a good samaritan reported the incident to the police station covering the area.

He said, “The Edo State Police Command can confirm that a soldier was killed on Wednesday in Benin City.

“A good Nigerian reported the incident at the police station covering that neighbourhood. The hoodlums carted away bags believed to have been loaded with cash kept inside the Army van.”