…launches manhunt for assailants
The Nigerian Army, has confirmed the killing of its personnel by gunmen who attacked a military patrol vehicle at a traffic light in Benin City last Wednesday.
The army further said a manhunt for the assailants was underway.
Capt. Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4Brigade Nigerian Army, made the affirmation in a statement issued Friday in Benin City.
Capt. Sokoya said media reports suggesting that the hoodlums made away with a big synthetic carry-all bag , popularly known as ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ believed to contain money were inaccurate.
He further said the Nigerian Army was working relentlessly and in cooperation with other security agencies to bring the suspects to book.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a series of inaccurate narratives in the media space in respect of an attack on a military Hilux vehicle at Akpakpava Road by some armed gunmen on Wednesday, 23 August, 2023.
“Contrary to several reports, a clerk from 4 Brigade Finance Office and a driver went to town to fix the office printer and also stopped at WEMA Bank to process and collect a bank statement.
“The armed gang in a red Toyota Camry car, who must have trailed and noticed that the soldiers were not armed, opened fire on the vehicle, at a traffic light junction probably thinking the soldiers were carrying money.
“But when they discovered that the vehicle was empty, they zoomed off. Unfortunately, some of the bullets hit the driver on the chest and he died”, Capt. Sokoya stated.
“A lot of reports have insinuated that the armed robbers made away with huge cash in a Ghana-Must-Go bag. That is entirely false, as no cash was involved”, the army PRO said.
