By John Ikani
Three persons have been confirmed dead and many persons wounded in a bank robbery at Ilara- Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The robbers reportedly struck around 3.00pm on Thursday and broke the bullet-proof door of the bank with dynamite before they gained entrance into the banking hall.
According to an eyewitness, the okada rider and the journalist were passing by when they rammed into the robbers while the operation was ongoing. They were said to have been killed by strayed bullets. But the policeman was said to have been killed by the dynamite.
Resident account
Narrating how the incident unfolded to newsmen, a resident said: “Bank staff and customers who were around for one thing or the other scampered to safety. There was confusion everywhere,” the resident said.
“A journalist, policeman, and motorcyclist were killed by the gunmen.”
Customer account
Also narrating how the robbery unfolded to newsmen, a customer in the bank was quoted as saying “I was inside the bank when they (robbers) came, immediately all of us laid down, they started shouting where is the manager! Where is the manager?
“So they later got the key of the vault and packed the money there but they were not satisfied with what they saw. They also opened the Automated Teller Machine but there was not enough money.
“That infuriated them and they shouted where is the money? It seems they didn’t get their target. After they took the money they went out angrily shooting to escape the scene.”
Police Reacts
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Ondo State Police Command, Tee-Leo Ikoro has confirmed the attack on the Bank.
He said investigation had begun into the robbery incident, adding that three persons injured during the attack had been taken to the hospital.
What you should know
Bank robbery seem to be on a frightening rise in the South West region of Nigeria, with 3 robberies reported in 2021.
In March 2021, a group of armed robbers attacked a commercial bank in Okuku at Osun State, killing no fewer than 2 people.
Months later, armed robbers attacked First Bank in Ikire and Access Bank in Apomu areas of Osun state killing about 7 people.
With the latest attack, no fewer than 12 people have lost their lives to bank robbery incidents in South West Nigeria this year!
