Army Speaks Tough as Gunmen Attack Patrol Van, Kill Soldier in Edo | METROWATCH

The Nigerian Army has vowed to fish out perpetrators of attack on a military vehicle in Benin City, the Edo State capital, in which one soldier lost his life and two others reportedly escaped.

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Wednesday attacked an Army patrol van in Benin City, killing a soldier and allegedly carting away sacks believed to have been loaded with cash, according to reports.

Three soldiers were said to have been in the military vehicle that was heading towards Ikpoba Hill when the robbers struck at the traffic light along Akpakpava Road by First Junction around afternoon.

The suspects drove an unmarked red Toyota Camry car against the traffic facing the military vehicle as two of the four occupants allegedly alighted and opened fire on the soldiers.

While the three unarmed soldiers were said to have abandoned their patrol vehicle and took to their heels, the driver reportedly succumbed to the injuries sustained from the gunshots in the hospital.

Reacting, the Military authorities said the armed gang who must have trailed and noticed that the soldiers were not armed, opened fire on the vehicle at the traffic light junction probably thinking the soldiers were carrying the money.

“But when they discovered the vehicle was empty, they zoomed off. Unfortunately, some of the bullets hit the driver in the chest and he lost his life in the hospital.

“While several reports claimed that the robbers carted away huge sums of cash, the Army described them as “entirely false as no cash was involved,” the statement read in part.