By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT— HEAVILY armed robbers yesterday shot their way into the premises of Gitto Construction Company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and disappeared with N13 million, which was reportedly meant for the payment of salaries of workers of the firm.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,  Mrs Rita Inoma-Abbey, who confirmed the development to newsmen, said some mobile police men attached to the construction firm sustained gunshot injuries during the operation by the robbers, adding that two civilians were also shot

She said the robbers who came in two vehicles, a Hummer Jeep and one other car, parked in front of the firm and pretended to be attending to the radiator of one of the vehicles, apparently surveying the place to know when to strike. As soon as they became convinced that it was time to launch their attack, the Police PRO said, the robbers swung into action, firing sporadically.

She confirmed that the robbers fled with N13 million.

Some workers who spoke to Vanguard said the robbers would have acted on tip off. They said it was very likely that the robbers got information that they were to be paid yesterday, this was why they struck.

Meanwhile, it could not be confirmed at press time if anybody died during the operation by the robbers. Those shot the PPRO said were receiving treatment at a trauma centre in the state capital, Port Harcourt.