It was another terrible day in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday, as armed robbers invaded the Akure branch of Diamond Bank and killed four people in the process.
Apart from this, no fewer than four other persons were wounded in the operation that lasted for about 45 minutes while unspecified amount of money was carted away by the robbers.
The men of the state police command and those of the 323 Army Regiment, Owena Barracks, Akure later arrested three persons in connection with the robbery.
Among those that were killed in the operation was one of the security of the bank identified a Bankole Olowoyelu, a middle age man said to be a secretary of a local branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and two other people that were hit by stray bullet.
The robbers numbering about 12 arrived the bank at about 1.45 p.m. in three vehicles, a Honda salon car, one black jeep and a bus.
Immediately they got to the front of the bank located on Oyemekun road, they blocked the road with their vehicles and started shooting sporadically into the air.
Initially residents of the area thought the sound was that of banger being used during the Christmas period but had to run for cover when they saw five men in black holding different types of guns.
Within a twinkle of an eye, the ever busy Oyemekun road was deserte as no vehicle plied the road, while vehicle owners caught on the road abandoned their vehicles and ran for cover.
The robbers first shot the security attached to the entrance of the bank before blowing up the security door with dynamite to enable them to gain entrance into the bank.
While five people were stationed on the main road, another six were said to have entered into the banking hall to cart away money.
The robbers, however, had a field day as they ransacked every nook and cranny of the bank for money while those outside continued the shooting spree.
However, after the whole operation, four people were lying in the pool of their blood while four others were wounded by gunshot.
After the operation, the robbers attempted to escape from the town but were said to have been pursued by a combined efforts of the Army and the police, following which three of them were apprehended.
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeniran Aremu, said the people were arrested while trying to escape.
He, however, said the command had already commenced investigation into the matter with a view to arresting the other members of the gang.
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