Gangs of 19 Nigerian robbers, who targeted ATM vehicles and
fled with Dh1.8 million, have been arrested, according to the
Sharjah Police.
The suspects were arrested from several apartments
occupied by 30 to 40 people of the same nationalities.
According to Khaleej Times, the Nigerian robbers had come
to the country on visit visas specifically to commit the
robberies. They assaulted security guards accompanying the
vehicles to carry out the robberies.
Addressing a Press conference, Colonel Rashid bin Bayat,
director of police operations department, said the robbers
committed four daring and violent robberies targeting money
transportation vehicles that were delivering cash to ATMs.
The first robbery was committed at the ATM of the Dubai
Commercial Bank on King Abdul Aziz Road, where the robbers
assaulted security guards and fled with Dh340,000. After two
days, the gang struck again, this time at an ATM near Saferr
Mall in Al Nahda area, where they fled with Dh700,000. They
then attacked a cash tramsportation vehicle in Al Muweilah
area, making off with Dh710,000. A fourth attack at an ATM
on Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road was foiled by the
police.
According to the police, the suspects transferred a part of the
robbed money to Nigeria. The police have recovered the rest
and restored it to their owners.
Col. Al Bayat said that the gang members entered the country
on visit visas and carried out the robberies after assaulting
security guards. the gangs were busted in a short period of
time after the robberies were reported.
The suspects were identified and arrested based on CCTV
footages obtained from the banks and money exchange
offices, said the police.
