12 die as robbers attacked police station, two banks in Igarra

Tragedy struck on Thursday evening in Igarra, Edo State as twelve persons including a policeman were feared killed in attempt to rob the two commercial banks in the town by armed robbers.

The dare devil men were said to have stormed the Unity Bank and keystone Bank at the administrative headquarters of Akoko-Edo local government area in their bid to rob the banks.

According to information gathered, the armed men had first attacked the police station which was about 1.2 kilometre from the banks apparently to demobilise the only means of neutralising their act, where they burnt the official vehicle of the newly posted Area Commander and killed a policeman.

It was also gathered that two detainees arrested on Wednesday for minor offences, in which one of them was reportedly arrested for incomplete vehicle particulars were among those reportedly killed at the police station.

Three other persons near the police station were also reportedly killed, just as at least four other persons were reportedly killed within the premises of the two banks apparently in anger as it was gathered that the armed men could not get access to the vault of the banks.

One of the youths in the community, Ofei Obende said that they tried to resist the robbers, but were overpowered by their firepower, adding that the police in the banks had exchange of gunfire which he said was responsible for the death of the three unidentifiable bodies. 

Furthermore, he narrated that another unknown person was caught in the cross fire and could help police in their investigation.

The Palace Secretary to the paramount ruler of the community, Otaru of Igarra, Elder Folorunsho Dania confirmed the incident on phone.

Meanwhile, as at time of reporting, the  Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted noted that the information about the attack was still sketchy and would release more details later.