By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City 

 Operatives of the Edo State Police Command on Friday afternoon shot dead two armed robbers and arrested another in Benin City.

 It was learnt that the four-man robbery gang had trailed their victim who wanted to buy a car from Ughelli in Delta State to a new generation bank located around Technical College Road Junction where he had ‎gone to withdraw money.

 The robbers who reportedly came in a grey colour Toyota Corolla car with Abuja Registration number,‎ were said to have gone into the bank with their victim unknown to him and as he attempted to come out of the bank after withdrawing the money, they reportedly shot him in the lap after robbing him of the sum of N500,000.

 The robbers, apparently to scare away people, started shooting sporadically into the air, as they attempted to escape, witnesses said.

 They were however unlucky with their escapade, as they were chased by men of Operation Thunder Storm, a security outfit of the State Police Command that engages in regular patrols of Benin City and its environs.

 Two of the armed robbers were shot dead during the encounter in the Evbomore area of Ugbowo, off Ugbowo-Lagos Road, while another member of the gang was said to have been arrested by the police, who were also said to have recovered the stolen money.

 At press time, the police had cordoned the area and were still searching for the fourth member of the gang.

 Meanwhile, the victim of the attack is said to have been rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention.

 When contacted, spokesman of the Edo State Police command, DSP Moses Nkombe declined comment, saying he would have to seek clearance from his boss, the Commissioner of Police before he could speak