By Ita Williams, Calabar
In a shocking turn of events, a group of armed robbers invaded a well-known eatery in Calabar, leaving a trail of terror and theft in their wake.
The incident, which occurred last Friday night, has left the local community shaken and authorities determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to eyewitness accounts, the robbery took place at around 9:30 pm at the popular eatery (name withheld) located along Marian Road. The eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, provided a chilling description of the events that unfolded.
“It was a scene straight out of a nightmare,” the eyewitness recounted. “About six young men, who appeared to be between the ages of 22 and 25, stormed the eatery, blocking the gate and firing shots into the air. They were demanding to see the manager, his wife, and the POS operator.”
The robbers, described as “daredevil” by the police, wasted no time in wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting patrons.
“They were firing sporadically into the air, combing through every corner of the eatery in search of the manager, his wife, and the POS attendant, who had managed to flee and hide as soon as they sensed the robbers’ presence,” the eyewitness continued.
The brazen attack left many of the guests, who were watching a Champions League game that night, as victims of the robbery. The robbers reportedly made off with phones, money, necklaces, and chains belonging to the patrons.
“Some of the guests who tried to escape by jumping through the fence sustained various levels of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed facility in town,” the eyewitness said.
One of the victims of the robbery was a high-profile politician from Akwa Ibom State, who pleaded with the robbers to let him keep his phone in exchange for money. However, his request was met with a firm refusal.
“The robbers were relentless in their pursuit of valuables. Even the high-profile politician’s pleas to keep his phone in exchange for money were turned down,” the eyewitness lamented.
The POS attendant, who attempted to resist parting with her phone and bag of money, was also among the injured when the robbers caught up with her.
“The POS attendant put up a brave fight, but the robbers overpowered her and took her phone and money,” the eyewitness said.
The brazen attack has left the local community shaken, with many expressing concerns about the safety and security in the area.
“This is a popular eatery, and it’s supposed to be a safe place for people to gather and enjoy themselves. But now, we’re all wondering if we’re truly safe anywhere,”
“It was absolute chaos. People were screaming and running in all directions, trying to escape the gunfire. I’m still trying to process what happened,” said, a visibly shaken local resident, who also pleaded anonymity.
In the aftermath of the traumatic event, the police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Following the statement provided by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, regarding the incident, she affirmed, “Police are fully informed about the incident and are actively managing the situation. While no arrests have been executed thus far, our investigation remains in progress.”
Additionally, the police has emphasized that business owners established connections with their respective Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) for immediate assistance during challenging circumstances.
The adoption of security measures, such as the installation of CCTV cameras within business establishments, was also recommended as a proactive approach to enhancing safety and security.
Therefore, police have assured the public that they are working tirelessly to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.