Bank manager, others killed as robbers attack banks yesterday

Armed robbers struck in Owo town in Ondo State on Thursday, robbing some banks and killing a bank manager.

Punch’s correspondent gathered that the robbers, numbering about 10, killed the manager of a branch of Wema Bank in the town and another employee of the bank during the robbery.

It was learnt that the deceased, whose identities were yet to be identified, were shot by the robbers for allegedly refusing to cooperate with them.

Residents said the robbers came into the town through the Abuja-Owo area at about 5pm, manned strategic entry and exit points into the town and started firing sporadically into the air.

One of them, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said when the robbers got to the centre of the town, they robbed three branches of new generation banks.

It was also learnt that some bystanders, who were caught in the middle of the attack, were seriously injured.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said the incident took place while about eight policemen were watching helplessly. He added that they could not challenge the robbers.

“The robbers announced their arrival by firing sporadically. Policemen were watching them, but were too scared to challenge the robbers.”

It was gathered that the robbers escaped with undisclosed amount of money stolen from the banks after two hours of operation.

But the state police commissioner, Isaac Eke, told Premium times the situation in the town had been brought under control.

He said the police was able to engage the robbers, killing six of them.

Mr. Eke said 12 arms and 9000 live ammunitions were recovered from the bandits.

Also recovered, the commissioner said, were six vehicles, some grenades and 55 canisters of teargas.

Mr. Eke declined to provide casualty figure in the attack, saying it was too late in the day to take count.