The Commissioner for Police in Ekiti State, Tunde Mobayo said on Saturday that they have recovered three vehicles allegedly used by the armed robbers who attacked the Wema Bank branch at Iyin Ekiti in the Ifelodun Irepodun Council area of Ekiti State on Friday.
Newsflash247 had reported there was pandemonium in Iyin-Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local government Area of Ekiti State on Friday, October 2, as armed robbers stormed a branch of the Wema Bank in the town.
The robbers, in the daylight operation, carted away money from the bank’s vault and stole from the customers.
The robbery started around 3.30 p.m.
Witnesses said the robbers besieged the bank and operated for over 40 minutes. They came into the town in green camouflage uniform and shot sporadically into the air, witnesses said.
There have been sporadic shootings leading to tension of many residents in the community especially traders at the nearby market before gaining entry into the banking hall.
The robbery attack came barely 24 hours after the police raised the alarm some bandits were planning to invade the state and wreak havoc.
The residents were said to have ran in different directions due to the severity of the gunshots, which sources said had sent jitters round the spines of those around.
Vehicles traveling across Ado-Iyin-Aramoko-Efon road had to take a detour to prevent being caught in the web of gunshots.
“In fact, the police disappointed us. They disappointed the people of Iyin today. The robbers robbed for over 40 minutes without any challenge.
“They came in two vehicles, shot into the air and scared the people around away. In fact, those in the nearby market left their commodities and ran for their lives.
“The police station along Igede Ekiti was not up to 500 metres while the police patrol point along Ado Ekiti should be a kilometre away, but none of them responded for over 40 minutes the robbers operated.
“But we thank God nobody was killed, but the agony of the gunshots was too much on the locals”.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner for Police in Ekiti State, Tunde Mobayo said on Saturday that they have recovered three vehicles allegedly used by the armed robbers.
Tunde Mobayo, who confirmed that there was no casualty, said the police had also recovered “some Improvised Explosive Device, some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two handsets”.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Sunday Abutu, titled ‘Bank robbery in WEMA Bank, Iyin Ekiti and the recovery of three vehicles ’, enjoined the citizens “not to be apprehensive as serious effort is ongoing to ensure the arrest of the suspects” .
The commissioner stated that at about 3.55 pm on Friday, “a group of heavily armed robbers numbering 10 with one Volkswagen Golf with Reg. No. GED906AA, one Acura MDX Jeep with Reg No. LSR327CD and one Toyota Camry Car with Reg No.
GED106ER stormed the branch of WEMA Bank in Iyin Ekiti , overpowered the mobile policemen posted to the bank due to their large number and robbed the bank. Although, there was no casualty.
“A swift reinforcement from the police to the scene made the robbers retreat with the three vehicles. The police operatives however, gave the armed robbers a hot chase, exchanged fire with them during which they abandoned the three vehicles and took to their heels into the forest.
“The Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command which comprise the Police Mobile Force, Special Anti Robbery Squad, SAFER HIGHWAY as well as the local vigilantes led by the Divisional Police Officer are currently combing the bush for the possible arrest of the suspects”.
Mobayo also implored all the good people of Ekiti State “ to be vigilant and report to the nearest police station any suspicious movement or suspected person or group of persons they see in their Communities or call Police Control Room Number on 08062335577”.
