Brave residents of the Swali area of Yenagoa on Saturday apprehended three out of four armed robbers that operated in the Bayelsa State capital, robbing a couple being conveyed in a tricycle of N3 million.

It was gathered that gunshot fired at the driver of the tricycle alerted people in the neighborhood, who went after the robbers and apprehended three of them.

However, the timely arrival of the police, who were alerted of the crime, saved the robbers from being lynched by the angry crowd.

Police Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat,an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.

He commended the gallantry and courage of the crowd in rounding up the armed men but urged members of the public to refrain from taking laws into their hands.

ASP Butswat said yesterday in Yenagoa: “On the Saturday, September 12, 2015, at about 1200hrs, four armed young men; drove a Volkswagen Car with REG No.AL 305 AGU, and blocked a Tricycle that was carrying Mr and Mrs Eric Oyibodokoye, along Oxbow Lake, Swali, Yenagoa.

“The suspects shot the tricyclist on his head, collected the sum of Three Million Naira from the occupants and zoomed off.

“Policemen were alerted and three members of the gang were arrested by members of the public, but were badly beaten before the arrival of the Policemen.

“The tricyclist and the suspects were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for medical attention.

“One of the suspects later died, and his corpse is deposited at the same hospital for autopsy.

“The fourth suspect was trailed and arrested at Swali community in possession of a locally made pistol and N144,500, part of the stolen money.”

Butswat further advised the public to continue to support the police in fighting crime adding that investigation on the incident was already underway.

Update news