Owerri bank robbery: Why gallant policeman, Iboko had to run from security house
An Imo state based lawyer, Kissinger Ikeokwu, has given what he claimed was a true account of the robbery attack that happened at a bank in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
The robbery left gallant policeman, Sergeant Iboko dead after he was gunned down by one of the thieves. The sergent, however, killed one of the suspects during the gun battle.
Iboko reportedly suffered severe gunshot injuries and died two months in a police clinic in Owerri after he was allegedly rejected at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
Ikeokwu shared account of the incident he claimed to have gotten from other police officers who were around the bank during the attack.
He wrote, “Those who blamed the officer for running out got it wrong. I got the true account from an anonymous witness and feel I should share it since he cannot by reason of his office.
“When the robbers approached the Bank, three Policemen were in the small Security House. They displayed gallantry by shooting and blasting the car windows, but the robbers still emerged from he car unhurt in what many have described as “Odoeshi.”
“The robber in blue the officer shot dead moved tactically to the small window at the back side the Policeman ran towards. He sprayed them with bullets killing one instantly and severely injuring the officer who today lost his one eye. The gallant Iboko was the man the robbers’ bullet didn’t touch and he took cover lying low and kept his calm.
“Confident that he had finished the officers who took cover at the small security post, the robber on blue decided to enter and finish the last breath off all the officers. It was then that Iboko who had taken cover having seen his men in the pool of their blood decided to either act or die with them. Sensing the invincibility of the robbers, Iboko was reported to have deepened his gun Nussle into the blood of his colleagues and that proved vital in neutralizing the supposed odoeshi.
“Immediately the robber on blue who had sprayed them with bullets from the back window approached the door, Iboko took him out. Having shot and proved he was alive, Iboko knew he must flee or wait for the robbers who didn’t fear bullets now come for him. He made the deft move with just 20% chance of escaping. He ran towards the backside of the Bank building through the left flank. But he couldn’t run too far as he fell to bullet wounds.
“Upon his falling, the other robber he had a face to face close range shootout with now came towards him and rained bullets on him, but Iboko’s four colleagues at the back gave him backup…… that backup was bullets from the far end of the backyard that made the killer of Iboko retreat and run to their car in a hurry.
“Iboko died later of his wounds. 7 Policemen were on duty on that very day at the Bank Wetheral Branch. 3 lost their lives including Iboko. One survived with injuries. 3 escaped unhurt and told the story you read hereby.
“The survivors were at the back yard and they reinforced Iboko giving him cover when he fell. Their bullets made the rubbers retreat in a hurry and not pick the guns of the slain officers. Their back reinforcement made the robbers abandon their colleague through whom Police got the clues that ultimately led to the arrest and waterloo of the robbers.
“Iboko took cover lying low with a dead colleague and one whose eyes was shattered by the same man he killed. He killed same man when he came true the door but lost trying to run after exposing his cover. Watch the video again. Spot the robber on blue go behind which the CCTV camera didn’t cover. He shot the 3 officers from the back window on close range target. Iboko was lucky not to be hit and took effective cover lying low. He moved when he had to move when the man now came through the door to finish the job and Iboko took him out.”
