Awka — AT least three people were said to have been shot dead by armed robbers in early morning robbery attack along Awka road, Onitsha, the Anambra State commercial centre, yesterday.

The robbers were also said to have made away with about N12million that was in the booth of the car, after killing the victims who were said to be Filling Station operators but were taking the money they realised after the weekend sales to a bank at New Market Road, Onitsha.

An eyewitness account said the robbers who operated on two brand new motorcycles trailed the victims who were driving a Peugeot 504 Station Wagon with Reg. No. DR937PHC from a Petrol station located along Awka road and intercepted them by

Okosi junction where they opened fire on the three occupants of the car.

The victims who included two-middle aged men and a young lady were said to be the manager, driver and cashier respectively at the filling station.

The source said, the robbers who were armed with AK47 Riffles and other sophisticated weapons, rained bullets on the car until it skidded off the road and smashed into a building that houses an Aluminum manufacturing company.

When Daily Champion visited the scene of the incident at 10.30am the corpses have been removed, but the car of the was still there while the whole ground was littered with blood.

When contacted the Anambra state Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident said that only

one person was killed in the robbery operation.

He said that the Anambra State police command has set up a special task force to combat okada robbery in the commercial town, but urged people who want to either deposit or withdraw huge money from banks to contact the local Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or Divisional Crime Officer (DCO).

Anambra State, particularly Onitsha have come under the siege of robbers in the last three weeks, creating fears among the residents that the days when people sleep with one eye because of crime have returned.