A soldier has been confirmed dead in a robbery attack in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, disclosed that the robbery occurred at the First Eastern Circular and Akpakpaba Roads intersection in Benin on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Nwabuzor said the soldier was shot dead by armed robbers who attacked the patrol van conveying the soldier and two of his colleagues.

She said an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack was ongoing.

The police spokesperson said: “Edo State Police Command can confirm that a soldier was killed in Benin on Wednesday. A good Nigerian reported the incident at the police station covering that neighbourhood.

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“The hoodlums carted away `Ghana-Must-Go’ bags believed to have been loaded with cash from the van.

“Since they were in their patrol vehicle, they should be armed. The assailants acted on information.”

An eyewitness disclosed that the assailants, numbering four, drove in an unmarked Toyota Camry car against traffic flow as they headed toward army vehicle.

The eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said two of the assailants alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on the soldiers.

He said: “The soldiers jumped out of the vehicle but one of them was hit by bullets and could not escape from the scene.

“Many people would have died if the soldiers had responded to the hail of bullets shot at them as the area is a busy spot for business activities.”

The Star