Nigeria army, police smoke out armed robbers holed up in bank

A group of robbers stormed a bank in a suburb of Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Saturday but before they could finish their ‘transaction’ and flee, soldiers and police arrived at the scene.

Local media outlets reported that a standoff ensued at Mpape in Abuja between a gang and the security forces who were holed up in a branch of First Bank.

The security team were seen in social media posts trying to use other means to gain access into the building including options of entering through the roof.

The armed robbers were said to have stormed the bank, shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away. They were said to have succeeded in gaining entry into the banking hall, a local news outlet Sahara Reporters said.

Reports said a robber attempted to force his way out and in the process got shot before he returned into the premises. Some of the robbers are also reported to have been apprehended.

It is not known as yet how many they were in all. The bank in a statement said all employees and customers caught up in the incident were safe. It also thanked the security forces for their swift reaction.