Robbers raid banks in Offa, kill policemen, customers, residents


A gang of armed robbers on Thursday raided some commercial banks in Offa,  Kwara, killing some policemen and  residents as well as  carting away an  undisclosed amount of cash in the process.

Affected banks, Newsmart gathered include Ecobank, GTBank, First Bank and Zenith Bank.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the heavily armed hoodlums  had attacked the Owode Police Station in the metropolis where they killed the policemen and some complainants before they raided the banks.

Sources said some customers who were transacting businesses in the banks were also killed in the incident, which was said to have lasted one hour.

The robbers, according to eye witnesses, entered the town at about  4:45 pm and operated till about 5:40 pm unchallenged after blocking the Ilorin and Osogbo entrances  into the town.

They were said to have  later made their escape through Igosun, a nearby community.

Among those said to have been  killed by the armed robbers were a police officer  who was expected to retire in the next   few months and a pregnant police woman.

The bandits numbering at least 15, according to sources, came in different vehicles while they stationed themselves at strategic locations within  the town while the operation lasted.

They were also said to have snatched some motorcycles to aid their escape.

NAN further learnt that the injured were conveyed to the General Hospital, Offa, for treatment while the corpses of the deceased have been evacuated.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the  incident, saying victims included  policemen and other persons.

He said details of the incident would be made public on completion of  investigation.

NAN reports that Offa  in the past had witnessed serial attacks on banks leading to the closure of some  branches in the highly commercial community which houses the Federal Polytechnic, Offa. (NAN)
ISHO/OJO
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