Armed robbers invaded some banks in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State in the evening today, making away undisclosed sums of money.
It was gathered that the robbers gained entry into the banks by blowing up the entrance.
Some residents said three banks were raided while some said the robbers attacked two banks during the operation.
The robbers were said to have detonated some of the explosives close to the banks to scare away residents in order to allow them to operate freely.
The banks in Ikirun are: First Bank Plc; Skye Bank Plc; Union Bank and a community bank.
Sources in the town claimed the three commercial banks there were raided, but the claim could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
One of the residents who identified himself as Bola said, “The three banks were attacked and there are many casualties on the site of the robbery, the police and the residents.”
The robbers didn’t make a clean getaway, however, as the police responded promptly to the distress call from the town and prevented the robbers from escaping with their loots.
It was gathered that the police team deployed in the town barricaded all the roads to the town and engaged the robbers in a gun duel which lasted for over 30 minutes.
Three members of the gang were shot dead by the police team while one was injured and another one was arrested, witnesses said.
One of the policemen was said to have been killed by the robbers before they abandoned the vehicles they brought for the operation and fled.
A police source, who confirmed the development, told our correspondent that two robbers were killed while one was wounded and another one was arrested. He also said a policeman was shot dead during the shootout.
The police source added that two pistols were recovered from the hoodlums as well as the money stolen by the armed robbers.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Kola Sodipo, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent through the phone, said some of the robbers were killed.
He said, “I cannot give you any figure now but there are casualties. We are still in Ikirun now, we are combing the bushes; we don’t want any of them to escape.
“We have demobilised their vehicle and we are combing everywhere to arrest those injured and the fleeing members of the gang.”
The CP urged members of the public to inform the police of presence of any strange face sighted in their area.
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