The Sharjah Police in United Arab Emirate (UAE) has arrested a gang of 19 Nigerian robbers, who targeted Automated Teller Machine (ATM) vehicles and fled with Dh1.8 million.
According to the Sharjah Police, the suspects were arrested from several apartments occupied by 30 to 40 people of the same nationalities.
An online news portal, Khaleej Times reported that the Nigerian robbers had allegedly travelled to the country on visit visas specifically to commit the robberies.
The report stated that the Nigerian robbers allegedly assaulted security guards accompanying the vehicles to carry out the robberies.
Addressing a press conference, the Director of Police Operations Department, Col. Rashid bin Bayat, 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 transportation 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.
Bayat said 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.
