KAKATA, Margibi – Police in Margibi reportedly shot dead a suspected armed robber and wounded four others at Ecobank’s Kakata branch early Sunday morning.
A journalist in Kakata, Darius Weamie said the four suspects sustained severe wounds during a gun fight with officers of the Police Support Unit of the Liberia National Police. Weamie said it was in the fire exchange that one of the suspects was killed.
He said the wounded suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing medical treatment at the C.H. Rennie Hospital. He disclosed that the suspects have already confessed to attempted armed robbery.
The robbers said they were contacted by a man known only as Ijay, a known criminal of Nigerian heritage, to carry out the mission. Ijay is also said to be the suspected robber who was shot dead.
Theo Joseph, one of the suspects told Weamie that Ijay had asked him to accompany him to Kakata on another business. Joseph said it was only upon their arrival when he was informed about the plan to rob the bank.
“When we got to Kakata at the Bank, he told us this is what we have come to do and everyone is forced to,†he told Weamie. According to him, they made their way into the bank, but did not take any money until the police arrived on the scene.
Another apprehended suspect identified as Samuel David said Ijay had contacted him more than three months prior about the bank robbery in Kakata. David said he was told that the security guards at the bank had agreed to assist in the act. He said he was also informed that passports were already available for the guards to travel upon the completion of the mission and that he too would be given similar opportunity.
Police spokesperson Sam Collins earlier confirmed the attack and told The Bush Chicken in a cellphone interview that the police have instituted several measures to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and peace and security are maintained.
Collins maintained that the security guards were not involved in the robbery as was alleged by one of the suspects and widely reported by news outlets.
During festive seasons, Collins said the country tends to experience a rise in criminal activities, including robbery and burglary. Other more minor crimes, including violations of traffic laws by drivers, sale of alcoholic beverages to children under 18 years, and kidnapping, also become more common.
He said at the same time, drownings at beaches, especially of under age children, increase.
Recently, reports of armed robbery in Paynesville, Brewerville and parts of Monrovia have increased. On Monday, July 18, a group of armed robbers also stormed the Cotton Tree community in Baptist Seminary on the Robertsfield Highway, wounding two residents and taking away cash and valuables.
Featured photo by Emmanuel Degleh
