Bank customer resists robbers, seizes rifle, shoots suspect in Minna

By: Zagazola Makama 

 A bank customer in Minna, Niger State, displayed rare courage on Friday when he resisted suspected armed robbers, seized a rifle from one of them and shot a member of the gang during a robbery attempt.

The incident occurred along Shiroro Road near Iya-Femi Restaurant shortly after the victim had reportedly withdrawn N10 million from a bank.

Security sources said the robbers trailed the man from the bank and later intercepted his Toyota Camry along the road.

The attackers were said to have fired shots into the air and ordered the victim to surrender the money.

However, the victim reportedly resisted the robbery, engaging one of the suspects in a struggle during which he succeeded in snatching an AK-47 rifle from the attacker.

In the process, the victim fired a shot which hit one of the robbers, forcing the gang to panic and flee the scene.

Despite the resistance, the suspects escaped with the victim’s Toyota Camry containing the N10 million.

The robbers also abandoned their own vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, at the scene as they fled.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying officers recovered the abandoned vehicle and the rifle used during the attack.

Abiodun added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.

He said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen money.