Amby Uneze in Owerri
About five persons including three policemen and two bank customers lost their lives in a broad-day light bank robbery in one of the new generation banks yesterday along Wethedral Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
However, one of the suspected armed robbers was also gunned down in crossfire with security men attached to the bank before others escaped with unspecified amount of cash.
An eyewitness told THISDAY that the gunmen numbering about 12 who operated in three SUVs, trailed a bank customer who was going to lodge some amount of money in the bank.
Apparently acting on a tip-off and as soon as the customer got to the bank, the bandits opened fire on his car, killing him instantly.
The source added: “One of the vehicles conveying the armed robbers drove into the bank with the victim, while others parked outside. After shooting the victim, they opened the trunk of his car to collect the money when security men engaged them in a shootout.
“Those outside the bank started shooting to scare away passersby, while those inside the bank shot their way out after killing three security men and a bank customer who attempted to run out of the bank premises.”
An official of the bank, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that, “we were in the banking hall when we heard sporadic gunshots and locked down the building to prevent them from gaining entrance to the bank hall but one of our staff who walked out was shot severally and is in critical condition now.”
The scene of the crime was condoned off later by armed policemen who took over the premises, while the bodies of the victims, including that of the suspected armed robber have been removed.
Meanwhile when contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident but added that it was not a bank robbery as insinuated.
According to him, “It was not a bank robbery but a bank customer was robbed in the front of the bank and the security men attached to the bank engaged the gunmen and shot down one of them, while others fled.”
The police spokesman who was also silent on the death of policemen attached to the bank, added that the police is on the trail of the fleeing armed robbers.
