Bank robbery: 3 robbers, 1 policeman killed

Four persons, madeup of a mobile policeman and three armed robbers, were killed, on Thursday, following an attack on a first generation bank in Owo, Ondo State.The three robbers, who were members of the gang that invaded the bank, were shot dead in Sabongida-Ora, Edo State while attempting to flee, while the mobile policeman was killed by the robbers at a pin down point in Ipele.Four members of the gang were also arrested at Sabongida-Ora after a shootout with men of the Ondo State police command, while a policeman was also wounded at the scene of the robbery.The 20-man robbery gang was said to have invaded the bank at about 10.30a.m. and ransacked the banking hall.The robbers, who came in two buses shot sporadically into the air to scare workers and customers before entering the bank premises located near the central mosque in Owo.After operating in the bank and carting away unspecified amount of money, the robbers attempted to escape through Edo State.On getting to Ipele junction where the police command has a pin down point, the robbers were said to have opened fire at the officers working on the Owo-Benin expressway.One of the policemen was killed in the process, while the robbers escaped to Edo State and were chased by men of the police force.Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeniran Aremu, said the police also recovered one of the buses used for the operation by the robbers.He also said the money stolen from the bank by the robbers were recovered, while efforts were on to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.The development led to panic closure of banks in some other major towns in Ondo state.Customers that went to their banks in towns like Akure, Ikare-Akoko and others were turned back as the gates of the banks were locked.
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