Robbers raid TIDE Newspapers, kill three

 

TWO armed robbers and a policeman were killed in a gun battle when a group of hoodlums attacked The Rivers State Newspapers Corporation, publishers of The Tide Newspapers.

The armed robbers had stormed the proof reading section of the media organisation located in the Mile One area of Port Harcourt, injured some of the workers on duty and took some of their personal belongings like mobile phones and cash.

It was learnt that the incident, which occurred around 1am on Monday, caused confusion among workers who were on night duty.


Continental Gist gathered that the bandits had ordered three security men on guard to lie face-down on the floor before asking some of their victims to take them to the office of the General Manager, Mr. Celestine Ogolo.

Angered that Ogolo was not in his office, the armed robbers, according to an employee of the organisation, became violent and beat up some of the workers.

Six employees of the organisation, who sustained serious injuries were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, just as the incident halted the production of the Monday edition of the newspaper.

It was gathered that a distress call was put across to the police who got to the building before the armed robbers could leave the vicinity.

One of the policemen, who rushed to the first floor of the building, immediately, shot one of the armed robbers.

The policeman, according to eyewitnesses, was, however, shot from behind by a member of the gang.

Three members of the gang were said to have escaped when they noticed the heavy presence of policemen within the building.

A member of the five-man gang, who was later shot dead by the police, was identified as a notorious armed robber operating under Mile One Bridge at night.

Ogolo, who spoke on the incident, described it as unfortunate, saying, “I wonder what they (armed robbers) were looking for. I commend the police for responding swiftly. I also want to request that investigation into the incident should be carried out to unravel those behind the raid.”

The Divisional Police Officer of Mile One Police Station, Mr. Paddy Pagon, warned that criminals should stay away from the area.

Describing the policeman that lost his life as one of the most courageous policemen in the state police command, Pagon said his men were always on the ground to battle criminals.