Do not Cut Corners, Delta Police Warns Banks as Armed Robbers Empty Bullion Van

By Miracle Enuji

Delta State Police Command has charged Banks operating in the state to adhere strictly to the laid down procedures of cash transfer within the State.

The Police command gave this warning in a Press Release made available to journalists over the armed robbery incident which involved a substandard bullion van and 7 unidentified Police Officers.

The sad event which occurred on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 along the ever busy Asaba – Agbor road, had the armed men neutralize the transfer team of United Bank of Africa (UBA), injuring a Police Officer and successfully escaped with the sum of N25 million from the Bullion van.

In a quick response, the Command arrested one Amina Oyewole, the Cash management officer of UBA 1, Asaba who authorized the failed transfer process.

The Command’s statement as signed by DSP .Andrew Aniamaka, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, read thus;

Armed Robbery Attack: Delta State Police Command Advises Banks Against Cutting Corners 

The Cash management Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Branch 1  Asaba, one Amina Oyewole ‘f’, the Chief Security Officer of the bank and two drivers were arrested by Delta State Police Command following an armed robbery attack which occurred Tuesday, September 5, 2017 between Otulu and Ubulu-Okiti, along Asaba/Benin expressway, Delta State.

Their arrest followed preliminary investigation into the attack which revealed that, in a bid to cut corners, the bank officials illegally picked seven police officers from different locations, yet to be determined, and engaged them on an illegal escort for the conveyance of the sum of twenty-five million naira from its branch in Agbor to Asaba without using a serviceable, secure armored bullion van as required by law.

Needless to state that when the bank officials earlier approached the Operations Department of the Command for escort men their request was turned down on the grounds that the bank does not have a serviceable bullion van needed for such operations.

Sadly, during the attack, one of the police escorts was fatally injured by the armed robbers who also emptied the twenty-five million naira (N25, 000,000.00) into their cars- a Honda Pilot Jeep and Toyota Corolla, Registration numbers unknown, and escaped.

The Command warns that henceforth banks requiring police escort must adhere to laid down regulations on specie escort especially during the “ember” months.

The Command reassures members of the public that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the fleeing armed robbers are apprehended and brought to book and calls on them to avail it of any information that will lead to the realization of this goal.