About six persons including a motorcyclist and two bank customers have been killed by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers during an operation on a bank at Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was learnt that the robbers who stormed the town in two Toyota Sienna buses at about 6pm on Tuesday, were said to have attacked a police station in the area, killing two policemen in the process.
While some attacked the police station, other members of the robbery gang raided a new generation bank nearby, destroying the entrance with explosives before carting away an undisclosed sum of money.
A motorcyclist, bank customers and a private security man were shot dead by the robbers in the bank premises.
However, luck ran out on one of the robbers who was killed by a vigilante group reportedly mobilized along Ekpedo-Ekpe road.
The vigilante were also confiscated one of the vehicles used by the robbers.
Speaking on the robbery incident, a vigilance group leader in the area, said most of the bandits escaped with bullet wounds.
“When the armed robbers started operating in Igarra, we quickly mobilized our people around the surrounding villages, because they came through Lampese to Ososo and down to Igarra and they were also going back through the axis, passing through Enwan.
“Our men barricaded their route and there was exchange of gunfire. One of them was killed; another was arrested while many escaped with gunshot wounds. We also impounded one of the vehicles they used,” the vigilante leader said.
Confirming the arrest, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, said one of the suspects had been apprehended, adding that the police recovered a total sum of N4,452,500, 11 AK47 rifles and 39 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.
Ezike said, “I can also confirm that one of the robbers has been arrested. One died in a gunfire exchange. Eleven AK47 rifles were recovered; I have just finished a press conference in Igarra now.
“We have also recovered N4,452,500 from them. We have recovered 41 AK47 magazines, 39 improvised explosive devices, unexploded and we recovered assorted ammunition.”
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