Bank Roberry

Due to most security personnel being deployed to protect President Goodluck Jonathan, the deadly Lekki robbery could have been avoided if there were more police available expressed Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola,

It is alleged that about six people were killed in the armed robbery including three police men as robbers attacked the FCMB bank and fled in a speedboat.

Fashola further expressed that it is sad for the country to experience such incidents where they could have been avoided.

Police had received vehicles from the state and all of them were stationed in Lagos to receive the president.

A minute of silence was requested by Fashola for the fallen heroes where he was speaking at an event held for Buhari and Osinbanjo.

A team of policemen and a gang of armed robbers exchanged gunshots for about 30 minutes on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge on Thursday afternoon,

An eyewitness, who spoke to the Media on telephone, said the robbers robbed a bank at Lekki phase 1 and attempted to escape through the link bridge to Ikoyi when they encountered policemen.

It was learnt that motorists abandoned their vehicles on the bridge and fled while the shooting lasted.

The eyewitness, who identified himself as Tayo, said, “Around 4.45pm, I was driving to my office in Ikoyi from Lekki but when I got a spot on the bridge, I heard sporadic gunshots. Fortunately, policemen at the tail end of the bridge inwards Ikoyi, shot back.

“We all came out of our vehicles and laid on the floor to avoid being hit by stray bullets. At some point, some of the policemen were overwhelmed by the fire power of the robbers and had to flee.

“The robbers later jumped into a speed boat and escaped through the water.”

Media sources learnt that scores of policemen from various police formations are still on the bridge while heavy traffic has up built from the Lekki Roundabout to Bourdillon.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission says high incidents of violence should be expected in Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states ahead of the elections.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, said the police would need to mop up all illegal fire arms before the March 28 elections.