Armed bandits raid Kwara banks, kill police, others

A large number of people, including policemen, complainants, bank customers and market people, have been reportedly killed by a gang of armed robbers who invaded commercial banks in Offa town on Thursday evening carting away an unspecified amount of money in different currencies.

Tribune Online gathered that the bandits, who operated for about an hour, entered the town around 4:45 pm and operated till about 5:40 pm as they first reportedly blocked roads from both Ilorin and Osogbo ends.

The hoodlums, who escaped with an unspecified amount of money carted from the commercial banks, also reportedly made their escape through Igosun area of the town.

It was also gathered that the armed bandits first approached the Offa divisional police station on entering the ancient town, killing policeman on duty among other people at the station, before raiding the commercial banks and killing people by shooting them on the head.

Among the policemen killed by the armed robbers that reportedly operated in commando style, was a man identified as Pelemo, who was expected to retire in few months and a pregnant policewoman.

An eyewitness said that corpses of six policemen were taken away in his presence, while efforts were being made to bring out others inside the police station.

It was also gathered that the bandits, who numbered at least 15, came in different vehicles as they stationed themselves at strategic areas of the town, as it was reported that they also snatched commercial motorcycles to operate and escape.

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It was learnt that the general hospital, Offa, where the injured victims were taken, was already overpopulated by those who secured varying degrees of injury and gun wounds.

The police public relations officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the bank raid, said that victims included a policeman and other individuals.

He said that details on the bank robbery would be made after a full investigation on the incident.

An eyewitness Olawale Adegoke said that the Armed Robbers started operation around past 4:50 pm and drove away at about 5:45 pm.

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As at the time of this report, three dead bodies were seen in Zenith Bank area (staff & Police officer), no casualty in GTB, First Bank, and Union Bank. Two dead bodies in ECO Bank area, two civilian dead bodies, one in front of Post Office, another in front of Roman Catholic Church and about 10 dead bodies in various offices within Owode Police Station (civilians and police officers inclusive).

The robbers reportedly operated on a total number of five banks for about one hour.