ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — A gang of armed robbers made off with $11 million on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Abeokuta, the capital of Nigeria’s Ogun State.
The four-man gang targeted a Hausa trader who had just left a local bank after being turned away due to the end of banking hours.
The trader was reportedly carrying the sizable sum of foreign currency in two bags in his Toyota Venza salon car.
The robbery took place near the Fatgbems Petroleum Filling Station in Oke-Sokori at around 4:35 pm.
According to eyewitness accounts, the armed robbers compelled the trader to stop his car, forced the boot open, and swiftly transferred the bags of dollars into their vehicle.
The criminals then sped away with the victim’s car key, disappearing before security operatives arrived at the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, described the incident as “unfortunate”.
Speaking to journalists, he said, “It is quite unfortunate that the suspects had escaped the scene before our operatives would arrive. But I want to assure you that we will definitely get them and bring them to justice.”
Oyeyemi also explained that all technical units of the police force in the state have been activated to track down the perpetrators.
“The command had immediately upon receipt of information about the incident sent a signal across the state to ensure that the suspects were tracked down,” he assured.
The audacious heist has put a spotlight on the security situation in Ogun State, stirring discussions about the need for heightened vigilance and improved security measures in the banking sector.