Armed robbers overpowered police during Wema bank robbery in Ekiti, says police commissioner
The gang of armed robbers who attacked Wema Bank in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Friday were said to have overpowered police officials attached to the bank before carrying out the operations.
Penpushing reports that the bandits numbering ten operated for about 40 minutes, shot sporadically into the air, and thereafter broke through the bank security doors with explosives suspected to be dynamite.
The robbers reported to have stormed the bank in a Volkswagen Golf with registration number GED906AA, and one Acura MDX Jeep with registration number LSR327CD as well as one Toyota Camry Car with registration number GED106ER
Penpushing further reports a witness who was in the banking hall during the raid said he was shocked to witness the incident, stressing that the robbers operated for about 40 minutes, and thereafter left with three ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags filled with money
“I was shocked to witness the incident. The robbers operated for about 40 minutes and no police could come to our rescue. They left with no fewer than three ‘ghana-must-go’ bags filled with money”, he said
Penpushing also reports that Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo while confirming the incident said “the robbers overpowered the mobile policemen posted to the bank.”
The police boss who made this known in a press statement by the Command Public Relations Officer Sunday Abutu enjoined citizens not to panic, stating that the command had recovered “some improvised explosive device, some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two handsets”.
“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,” the statement read.
Penpushing reports that the commissioner urged residents to report any suspicious movement of suspected persons in their communities to the nearest police station.
