There was stampede recently at the popular Katsina/Ala street, Makurdi town, when two armed men on a motorbike waylaid a man later discovered to be the cashier of Makurdi local government council (name withheld), carting away over N6million.

The amount, which was withdrawn from the bank, was reportedly meant for payment of some creditors of the council.

Eye witnesses told Crime Alert that the armed men had trailed the cashier from the bank. On reaching Katsina /Ala street, they reportedly intercepted the cashier's vehicle , shooting sporadically into the air.

An eye witness said: "Initially we thought they were policemen, but when they started shooting into the air and asked occupants of the vehicle to hand over the bag of money in their possession, we realised they were armed robbers".

"At that point we all scampered for safety, for fear of being shot by the fierce looking men who took total control of the area, while shop owners hurriedly closed their shops for fear of being attacked also. The operation lasted for about seven minutes. But while it lasted, we were helpless because we couldn't stand up against them and there was no way the police could come to the rescue of the victims within that period.

"It is painful because in the last few weeks, cases of armed men operating on motorbikes have become rampant in parts of Makurdi town", he added.