Mob apprehend fleeing robbers in Bayelsa, recover stolen N1.3m

A two-man armed robbery gang yesterday met their Waterloo in the Opolo area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as they were chased down and apprehended by an angry mob after they broke into a car and stole the sum of N1.3 million.

The mob also recovered the money, which stolen from the car belonging to one Pastor Andy Sese in Opolo, Yenagoa Council.

The gang members, identified as Wero Paul, 32, and Innocent Uchechukwu, 34, broke the window of a Toyota Xterra at the premises of Market Square and made away with the money.

The Guardian gathered that the robbers came with a getaway commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke Napep, but ran into trouble during a chase by one of the private security guard attached to the supermarket.

Apparently, the owner of the money was traced from the bank where he had gone to make withdrawal.

An eyewitness ‎ said the suspicious movement of the tricycle attracted the mob as the security guard was chasing it.

He said: “While a vehicle beside the fleeing Keke Napep assisted the private security by blocking it from getting away, I saw two young boys came down with some heavy bag under their clothe.

“I screamed and asked them to stop and asked the security guard to search them. We discovered some substantial part of the stolen fund from them.”

The mob descended on the suspects by beating them black and blue before the arrival of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Within minutes, the suspects were beaten beyond recognition.

Another eyewitness confirmed that the mob action of the mob was borne out of anger against recent cases of armed attacks on supermarkets and beer parlous in the area.

“These armed bandits have made our areas in Opolo become fearful and instead of Police doing a thorough investigation, they engage in mass arrest of innocent persons and residents of the area,” he said.

Confirming the incidents, the state Police Command, in a statement, adding: “Consequently, policemen responded swiftly and arrested the thieves.

“The sum of N1.300.000 million and their get-away tricycle, with registration number ASK 540 QO, was recovered. Investigation is ongoing.”