Dele Ogunyemi
28 November 2008
Ibadan — More than seven persons including three school children were feared dead yesterday as armed robbers raided a new generation bank (names withheld) at Idi-Ape, along the popular Iwo Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Four policemen fell to the fire power of the robbers who shot indiscriminately to scare people. The bank is located few metres away from the Area Command of the Police at Testing Ground, Iwo Road. The pupils died as a result of stray bullets.
Daily Champion gathered that the robbers had stormed the bank in two heavily loaded vehicles. They immediately ordered everybody at sight to lie down. They then pumped bullets into the bank's entrance security door thus forcing it open.
Although police armoured personnel carrier was mobilised to the area following distress call, little could be achieved as the robbers seemed better positioned while the operation lasted.
Consequently, the robbers reportedly forced their way into the bank's strong room but it could not be immediately ascertained the amount of money they carted away.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the state capital as policemen were seen patrolling the streets.
All those who sustained injuries were rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) while the bodies of the dead have been deposited at the hospital's mortuary.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the state Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Mr. Abayomi Adeniji, said that although three policemen were shot, they were not killed.
The UCH Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kunle Atinwore, however, stated that the corpses deposited at the hospital morgue included those of three uniformed policemen.
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