By Jimitota Onoyume, PH

THREE persons were allegedly burnt to death yesterday when a Hilux vehicle they were driving rammed into a stationery petrol tanker around the Air Force barracks and burst into flames.

Details at press time were hazy but Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Hillux belonged to one of the new generation banks at Mile One end of Ikwerre road.

A source within the bank said the driver was recently posted to the Mile One branch of the bank, adding that the three occupants in the vehicle burnt to death.

In a related development, Policemen also foiled attempt by a gang of robbers to rob a new generation bank on Olusegun Obasanjo road. One of the robbers was shot dead while the others fled leaving behind one of the vehicles.

Sadly according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ben Ugwuegbulam who confirmed the incident, one of the Policemen sustained severe gunshot injuries.  It could not be confirmed at press time if he had given up the ghost.

“Our men responded to a distress call at Access bank at Ikoku along Olu Obasanjo road, Port Harcourt. However unknown to them the gang of hoodlums had laid ambush and opened fire on the patrol team upon arrival at the scene. In the ensuing gun battle one of the hoodlums was shot dead and a Policeman also was fatally wounded.”