Police on Tuesday foiled an attempted bank robbery at the Nyabugogo Agaseke Microfinance Branch killing three suspected robbers in a shootout. One alleged member of the gang managed to get away.

The three were shot dead in a fierce exchange of fire as they tried to force their way into the heavily guarded bank.

The Managing Director of Fodey Security and Alarm system, Soya Omar, revealed that the robbers had tried to convince one of his guards to conspire and facilitate them in the robbery on the promise of a cut on completion of the mission.

It was this guard who alerted the bank on the plan which tipped off the police.

In a telephone interview with The New Times, Police spokesperson Eric Kayiranga confirmed the incident.
"Since we had been alerted earlier about the impending robbery, we kept surveillance of the place and by the time they attempted to rob we were already there, but on realizing our presence they started firing towards us and in retaliation all the three were shot dead,” Kayiranga said.

One of the deceased was identified as Kharim Arafat but identities of the other bandits had not yet been identified by press time. Their bodies are still in CHK mortuary.

The entire crew comprised of 5 people including a woman and another man who had earlier come to reconnoitre the bank.

The woman identified as Sabine Nishimwe, wife of Khalim Arafat who died during the exchange, was arrested yesterday by Police.

A grenade, 3 knives, 1 pistol and two fake pistols were discovered at the scene. 

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