Ammunition recovered from the suspects PHOTO: ODITA SUNDAY
**Nigeria, Benin security forces kill six, arrest three
**
A joint effort between Nigeria and Benin Republic security agents has led to the arrest of three international bandits, who specialized in bank robbery.
The security forces, comprising Lagos State Police Command, Benin Regional Police squad at the Krake, Seme border, Nigeria customs and Immigration also killed six of the suspected robbers who attempted to rob banks and bureau de change operators in Seme.
The suspects heavily armed with AK 47 rifles, dynamites, rocket launchers and other sophisticated weapons, attempted to enter Nigeria through the legitimate route, but the vigilant joint security forces repelled them.
They, however, changed their plan and attempted to unleash terror at the border through the sea. The joint security forces further engaged them in a gun duel, leading to the death of the suspected robbers.
The suspects abandoned some arms and ammunition in Nigeria and fled to Benin in their flying boats. They were eventually suppressed by the superior firepower of the joint security forces.
The hot pursuit made them abandon one of their boats and other weapons. Weapons recovered from the hoodlums include one speedboat, 883 live ammunition, six loaded magazines, dynamites and other deadly weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Fatai Owoseni, who visited the scene in company of the Regional Director, Department of Police, Benin Republic, Ogouchoro Severin, Customs Area Controller, Seme border, Victor Dimka, Nigeria Immigration Area Controller, Seme border, Barko, noted that intelligence report was received two weeks ago that some hoodlums were planning to raid some banks in Seme.
“It was the synergy between Nigeria government and that of Benin Republic that led to the successful operation, which foiled the attempt by daredevil bandits to rob our banks in Seme border.
“As they were going to attack banks in Seme, we gave them the fight of their life and they abandoned their boats, arms and ammunition and fled through the waterways to Benin Republic, where we also engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
“Some of them fell inside the water, three of them were arrested while some others escaped with bullet injuries. We are appealing to Nigerians and Beninois to report to the nearest security post when they see dead bodies floating in the water or persons with bullet injuries.
“I want to also appeal to medical practitioners and trado-medical healing centres to report any patient with gunshot or bone injuries to the police,” he stated.
Guardian