Benin — Three Policemen yesterday met their untimely death when they were shot by armed robbers in a bank robbery at Ibillo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo state.

The robbers, numbering about eight, and said to be armed with dangerous weapons, stormed an old generation bank at about 5:30am with a Toyota Camry and opened fire while trying to force the vaults open.

It was gathered that one of the policemen on guard while trying to resist the robbers, was shot dead.

The other two policemen, as further learnt, met their death when the police called for reinforcement.

According to an eye witness, "as they were coming, they did not know that the robbers were driving past them and the robbers opened fire on them. Two of the police men died on the spot while two others sustained bullet injuries".

It was, however, learnt that the robbers abandoned their vehicles and fled when they discovered that they were being over powered by the policemen. Two of the robbers were said to have sustained serious gun shot injuries but his colleagues escaped with them.

Confirming the robbery incident, Edo State Police Comman Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Ogboi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the Command learnt of a robbery at Ibillo but was yet to get details of what actually transpired.

However, he added that the command heard that two of the robbers were fatally injured and the police also recovered the vehicle used for the operation. "Three of our men were killed while two were injured," he stated.