It was gathered that some of the employees of Firstbank branch at Mpape district in Abuja, have also been indicted in the crime, following the confessions of the notorious armed robbers who were caught on Saturday while robbing the bank.
But at the time of filling this report, it was gathered that four gang members were apprehended, while the number of bank workers in custody could not be confirmed.
The suspects, told police detectives during interrogation that they were invited to carry out the robbery by some employees of the bank as reports by Punch
It was also gathered that one of the suspects was gunned down when Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and soldiers from the Guards Brigade foiled the heist in Mpape, a settlement a few meters away from the highbrow Maitama District.
The suspects had holed up in the banking hall for almost two hours until they were smoked out with teargas by security personnel, who condoned off all possible escape routes.
The suspects confess that, they were invited to rob the Automated Teller Machines located on the bank premises, after it was believed that the ATMs had been stashed with huge amounts of money to cater to customers’ cash needs during the Yuletide.
A police source, who is familiar with the investigation into the failed heist, informed PUNCH Metro that the bank workers in custody were trying hard to absolve themselves of blame.
“It is too early to give details, but so far, the suspects are claiming that they were given information about how to rob the bank by some of the workers. We are still working to verify their claims,” the officer said.
When Punch correspondent passed by the bank premises on Sunday, observed that the place was desolate with broken glasses everywhere.
Two armed policemen were seen chatting outside the building.
Meanwhile, the bank’s management said in a statement after the standoff between the robbers and security personnel that its workers and customers were safe.
“The immediate response by the police and military is very commendable and we truly appreciate them for their doggedness and commitment,” it stated.
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