Two persons reportedly lost their lives in an old generation bank located in Igede Ekiti, headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti State when dare-devil armed robbers attacked the bank.
The armed robbers, numbering seven, were said to have stormed the bank around 5.50pm on Wednesday evening killing a private security guard and a staff of the financial institution.
Confirming the incident, the State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Caleb Ikechukwu revealed to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Thursday that the guard, who was shot in the head died within the bank premises while the bank official later died in the hospital.
He said a resultant gun duel between policemen and the bandits botched the operation as the robbers had to flee the scene knowing full well that the police were closing in on them.
Ikechukwu added that the robbers who tried to escape through Ilawe-Igede road , later drove into the bush and escaped into the thick forest between the two towns.
The PPRO said the expansive forest has been cordon off by the police, adding that his men are combing the bush in search of the robbers.
He said more men had been deployed to all banks n the state to curtail the men of the underworld across the state.
“The robbers would have done more havoc than they did, but for prompt action taken by our men. There was exchange of gunshots between the bandits and our personnel. They tried their best to manage the situation.
“It is true that two persons were killed during the bank operation The operation was regrettable and the death of the two persons was painful .
“The command is stepping up its intelligence gathering skill and operation. As a temporary measure, we are going to deploy more men in banks to make the place safe for staff and customers.
“If you are on ground in Igede now, more men have been deployed, particularly the mobile police unit. We are doing same across the state.
“As we speak, our Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and State Intelligence Investigation Department (SIID) have drafted their men for intelligence gathering while mobile policemen are on road and other critical areas”.
The police spokesman urged members of the public to go about their normal businesses , assuring that the police are on top of the situation.
The robber were said to have operated in a Commando-like manner by blowing up the banks Automated Tellers Machine(ATM) with bullets , which caused panic within the vicinity of the bank.
The bandits, according to an eye witness actually gained entry into the banking hall but were resisted by the police, saying no one could ascertain whether money was carted away or not.
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