By EVELYN USMAN
LAGOS—The Police in Lagos State, Sunday, engaged a 25-man robbery gang in a shoot–out on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, foiling the gang’s attempt to break into a second generation bank.

The robbers, among whom were reportedly four women, stormed the bank’s premises at Trinity Bus-stop about 9.30pm on Sunday, in three unmarked vehicles and motorcycles.

However, unconfirmed reports said the robbers entered the bank through one of the windows,  which was not properly protected and escaped through the ceiling when policemen arrived the scene.

But police sources said five members of the gang armed with sophisticated weapons scaled through the fence into the bank located adjacent to Trinity Police Division.

They reportedly held the private security guards hostage before opening the gate for other members of the gang, while some positioned themselves outside.

Unknown to them, some policemen from Trinity Division, who reportedly got wind of their presence, called for reinforcement from Area ‘B’ Command, Apapa, and the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja.

Vanguard learnt that when the robbers outside the bank premises sighted the policemen in a private vehicle, they opened fire, leading to a gun duel.

A suspected member of the gang, who rushed out of the bank was reportedly hit by a bullet from his colleagues but was hurriedly rushed into an operational vehicle.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Jinadu, said two suspected members of the gang were arrested, adding that house breaking implements were recovered from the suspects. He said investigation had begun with a view to arresting other fleeing members of the gang.