Two killed, others injured in Ikere bank robbery

Two people were reportedly killed on Thursday evening at
Ikere Ekiti, as a five-man robbery gang stormed a First bank
branch in the town, carting away on undisclosed sum of
money.

One of the victims was identified as a commercial
motorcyclist operating in the town.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State
Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said one person was killed
during the robbery attack. It was learnt that two others were
hit by bullets during the attack that lasted close to 30 minutes.
The victims (names not given) were said to be receiving
treatment at a hospital.

It was learnt that the bandits trailed a bullion van conveying
an undisclosed amount of money from Ado Ekit, the state
capital, to the bank in a Nissan saloon car.

The bandits reportedly demolished the security door with a
dynamite in order to gain entry into the banking hall and
headed straight to the strongroom.

After the operation, the gun-wielding hoodlums were said to
have shot into the air to scare he people away before escaping
through the Ikere-Ogotun road.

Our correspondent gathered that motorists from Ado Ekiti,
the state capital, were taking a detour to escape being hit by
stray bullets during the operation.

Those within the vicinity of the bank and residents of Ikere
were said to have fled during the gun duel between the police
and the hoodlums.

Members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state
were reportedly booed by the aggrieved residents in protest
against the police late arrival.