Armed robbers struck in Ilasa-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday, killing no fewer than seven persons as they invaded a branch of First Bank Plc in the town.
Armed robbers struck in Ilasa-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday, killing no fewer than seven persons as they invaded a branch of First Bank Plc in the town.
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Residents told journalists that three policemen were among the seven persons killed during the robbery, which left the town deserted while the operation lasted. One of the felled policemen was said to be on guard at the bank, while the remaining two were killed at the police station near the bank.
Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the robbers blew up the bank’s security doors with an explosive device to gain entrance to the banking hall. Residents told journalists that the robbers, on arriving at the bank, sprayed bullets at the security doors, but could not enter the bank until they threw dynamite at it.
SATURDAY PUNCH learnt the operation, which lasted for close to an hour, was successful as the robbers carted away an undisclosed amount of money. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, when contacted, declined to comment on the incident.
He, however, told our correspondent that the Deputy Commissioner of Police would issue a statement on the incident.
Following the incident, it was observed that the two branches of the First Bank in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, did not open for business on Friday until about 10 am. A similar robbery incident happened at the main branch of the bank in Ado-Ekiti on May 30, 2011. Five persons were killed, while seven others were injured.
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