OG Plastics K6m robbery surviving cop promoted from Constable to Sup-Inspector

The police officer who was wounded by criminals in a K6 million armed robbery at OG Plastics shops in Limbe, Blantyre on Saturday, has been promoted to a senior rank.

Constable Jailos Phiri was wounded in a gunfire exchange with criminals who shot dead another police officer, Sub-Inspector Yohane Mabutawo during the multimillion Kwacha heist.

National Police Public Relations Officer, Rhoda Manjolo confirmed to Nyasa Times that Constable Phiri, who managed to kill one of the criminals during the gunfire, has been promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector.

Constable Phiri shot dead hardcore criminal Ben Harawa who was among the criminals that staged the robbery.

“It is true Constable Phiri has been promoted; he is now Sub-Inspector(Number 2992),” confirmed Manjolo.

The two officers were on private duty with OG plastics personnel collecting money within Limbe when they encountered the armed criminals who also injured an OG Plastics accounts officer, Muhammad Sami- currently admitted at Seventh Day Adventist hospital.

Manjolo said OG Plastics hired the two police officers from B Division Company to collect money from the company’s shops in Limbe.

“After finishing collecting the money, the crew started off heading to their head office at Maselema. When they entered into the compound, a Nissan Tiida which was following them also got into the compound.

“One criminal suspect jumped from the Tiida car carrying a bottle of acid. The suspect reached to the car carrying the money and poured the acid into the face of Inspector Mabutao. Later Constable Phiri sensed danger and fired gunshots that killed the suspect on the spot,” explained Manjolo.

According to Manjolo, this action forced other suspects, who are still at large, to jump out of the car and picked the gun which was in the possession of the deceased suspect and fired at the crew that was in the OG plastic’s vehicle. This, she said, resulted in the death of Mabutao.

Constable Phiri and Sami were also wounded in the legs.

The vehicle used by the criminals was later dumped close to Katimba CCAP Church in Limbe.