…one suspect lynched, another escapes with gunshot wounds
ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
Police in Bayelsa State have smashed a suspected three-man armed robbery gang in Yenagoa, the state capital, and arrested the mastermind identified as Gift Joshua.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat said on Thursday that the feat was achieved by operatives of the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (SIIB) on routine surveillance.
He said the operatives encountered the armed robbery gang and engaged them in a shoot-out which resulted in the apprehension of the gang leader.
Butswat said the incident happened at about 9.30 am on Wednesday at the Erepa area of the state capital.
The spokesman said the suspected armed robbery gang went to a Point of Sale (POS) shop at Erepa on the pretext of making withdrawals, but suddenly pointed a gun and robbed the owner of N90,000 and his phone.
Butswat said the victim courageously confronted the suspected armed robbers and raised the alarm that drew the attention of the police operatives on surveillance and members of the community.
He said the police and community members pursued the suspects and arrested the gang leader Gift Joshua.
He, however, said that angry mob lynched one Douglas, surname unknown, while the other gang member, one Keme Azorbo, escaped with gunshot wounds.
Butswat said detectives were on the trail of the suspect who escaped and that investigation was ongoing.