The Esiama Divisional Police Command in the Ellembelle District successfully foiled an attempted robbery attack on Ecobank's Esiama branch in the Western Region.

According to the Police, they received a distress call in the wee hours of Saturday indicating that about five individuals had attacked the bank.

The police then proceeded to the scene. But upon seeing the personnel, the robbers opened fire which the response team returned accordingly, leading the robbers to flee into a nearby bush.

Police rescued the bank's private security man and another who was on duty at an adjacent ECG office. Their hands and legs were tied with ropes.

Surveying the scene, the police picked one AK 47 assault rifle with tempered serial number and 28 rounds of live ammunition. Other items retrieved include an industrial cutter, crowbar, screwdrivers, damaged padlocks and four spent BB shells.

The police also observed that the armed robbers damaged the burglar-proof and the glass door leading to the banking hall.

Even though the robbers had access to the banking hall, they did not succeed in their operation due to the timely intervention by policemen.

Meanwhile, a search has been mounted to arrest the perpetrators.

“We urge residents of Esiama and surrounding villages to report suspicious characters, especially those who present gunshot wounds to hospitals, clinics and herbalists for treatment,” the police statement read.