Policeman Shot Dead in Ekiti Bank Robbery

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

A police officer was yesterday reportedly shot dead and many injured during a bank robbery in Otun Ekiti, the headquarters of Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State .

The deceased was said to be a security guard attached to a branch of a new generation bank located at the heart of the ancient town.

The bank invasion, which happened around 5pm, came barely two years after some suspected armed robbers invaded the town and killed four persons .

A resident of the town told journalists that the robbers, stormed the bank and shot sporadically into the air to scare those within the vicinity of the bank.

“The robbers forced their way into the banking hall with dynamites and carted away huge amount of money stacked in Ghana must go bag,” he said.

The bank officials and customers were said to have scampered to safety before the police reinforced to confront the robbers.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, said the robbers attacked the bank with dynamites, but insisted that the they did not gain entry into the banking hall.

Abutu further explained that men of the command and military men attached to the area engaged the robbers in a gun duel, which he said resulted in the loss of one of the mobile policemen.

“There was a bank robbery incident today in Otun-Ekiti at about 5:00 pm, and in the process of shootout between our men and armed robbers, we unfortunately lost one of our men.

“The commissioner of police has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident in ensuring the armed robbers are arrested and brought to book,” he added