Armed robbers raid three banks, kills three in Omu-Aran, Kwara

Suspected armed robbers on Tuesday shot dead three persons in bank raids in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

Armed robbers raided three banks in the town, killing three persons and escaped with an unspecified amount of money.

Sporadic gun shots and sound of dynamite rented the air at about 6 p.m. in an operation that lasted for more than an hour in the town.

A witness said that the armed robbers, numbering about 20, first attacked the police station and the barrack, demobilising the police armoured carrier and cars parked outside.

The armed robbers thereafter invaded three banks all located on Aperan Way in the town, using grenades and dynamite to break their doors and vaults.

The lifeless body of an unidentified worker of one of the banks and a driver were seen lying in the pool of their blood.

Also a member of a vigilance group in the town was also shot dead by the robbers.

Meanwhile, youth in the town, in their hundreds, stormed the Omu-Aran police station and the Area Commander’s office to protest against the incident.

A police patrol vehicle was set ablaze by the angry youths while the police had to respond with tear gas to disperse them.

The Divisional Police Officer in Omu-Aran, Razak Adebayo, who confirmed the incident and the death, said that the police had started taking stock of the attack on the banks. He said the armed robbers attacked the station and the barrack at about 6 p.m. when his men were exchanging their rifles and duties.

He said that the tyres of the armoured carrier and cars were deflated in the process by the robbers.