From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
A policeman and four others yesterday lost their lives, as armed robbers stormed a new-generation bank in Ogbagi-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The robbers, who reportedly stormed the bank in the afternoon, forced their way into the banking hall and attacked bank officials and customers.
An eyewitness told Daily Sun that the robbers used an explosive device to destroy the metal-detector door of the bank before breaking into to the banking hall with their weapons, including pistols.
Sources said an undisclosed amount of money was carted away by the robbers, who shot sporadically.
A community leader in the town, Chief Eli Olorunsola, while commenting on the incident, called on the government to be more proactive on security of life and property.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said the robbers, numbering about 13, arrived the bank on motorcycles and forced their way inside the banking hall.
He said a policeman, one private security guard and a blind man were among the victims of the robbery incident.
Joseph added that the robbers destroyed the automated teller machine of the bank with dynamite and made away with a huge sum of money.
He disclosed that the state police command has launched an investigation into the robbery, while giving assurance that the robbers would not go free.