A total of six individuals were shot dead when some armed robbers stormed a First Bank branch at Ido Ani area of the Ose Local Government in Ondo state, yesterday.
According to reports, the victims were the vice principal of the community’s Grammar School, one policeman, and four others who were workers and bank customers.
The armed robbers reportedly stormed the bank’s premises around 2 pm on Monday, gained entry into the banking hall by destroying the security door with an explosive, and began to intimidate those present at the time.
They asked the workers to unlock their ATMs and packed money from them.
The incident led to massive panic all over the town as everyone, including business owners in the area, scampered for safety, and to avoid being hit by stray bullet.
A source equally reported that a team of policemen and soldiers arrived at the scene as soon as they were informed about the attack. They engaged the robbers in a gun battle, leaving some of the criminals injured before they fled the scene.
The source said, “The attack claimed the lives of some bank workers and customers at the ATM point, while others were injured. The injured persons have been taken to the hospital.”
One of those who witnessed the robbery mentioned that some victims died from the impact of the explosion while they were trying to withdraw money from the ATM.
The eyewitness explained, “Two bank workers have been confirmed dead already. Others, who were injured, were rushed to the hospital. Four people using the ATM were killed.”
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Femi Joseph, has since reacted to the incident, affirming that one of the robbers was already in custody.
He explained that the robbers were only able to get away with a small amount of money which they got inside the ATM.
He stated, “ We have been able to arrest one person and we, in company with the soldiers are already on the trail of the robbers and we will get them,” Joseph added.
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