Gunmen Attack 4 Commercial Banks In Edo, Kill Policemen, Others, Cart Away Large Sums

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, on Thursday launched simultaneous coordinated attacks on four commercial banks in Uromi, the headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

BIGPENNGR understands that about six persons including two policemen and four civilians were killed by the gunmen who were heavily armed.

A security source said the gunmen who stormed the financial institutions including Zenith Bank, UBA, Union Bank and First Bank in their large numbers with several vehicles, reportedly attacked the banks with dynamites for over one hour.

Videos of the attack which trended on social media, indicated that the unmasked gunmen operated unhindered for hours and went away with large sums of money which they loaded in a red colored Toyota Corolla car.

A resident of the community, who would not want his name in print, described the attacks as “too coordinated and in commando style” adding “This is novel in this town.

“The sporadic shots by the armed robbers caused panic in the town. The robbers came prepared. People were just running helter-skelter,” another source said.

Residents were said to be making contacts with security agencies to come to the rescue of the banks and the residents.

When contacted, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, SP Kontongs Bello, confirmed the attacks. He said “that’s true sir”, but declined to give further details.

(…with Sun, Channel reports)