Robbers, again, storm bank, kill 11

Clement Oko Nnachi, Abakaliki - 13.02.2008

NO fewer than 11 people were killed on Tuesday when armed robbers numbering about 10 invaded the Afikpo branch of a new generation bank in Ebonyi State, carting away millions of naira.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the robbers stormed the bank at about 10.30 a.m. in two Land Cruiser jeeps, and shot indiscriminately.

About 20 persons were said to be injured in the operation that lasted for about two hours.

Among those wounded were students and teachers who were inside the bank when the armed robbers came, while most of the bank officials escaped through the back gate of the bank.

Two ladies were members of the robbery gang, with one of them driving one of the vehicles.

The eyewitness disclosed that this was the third time armed robbers were attacking the bank within five months.

A police team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Afikpo, Mr. Jonathan Nnamdi, was said to have arrived at the scene by 12.30 p.m., some minutes after the robbery, even when the divisional headquarters is less than five minutes drive from the bank.

Sources further disclosed that two of the robbers wore masks while the rest were unmasked, making people to believe that the masked men must have been indigenes of the area.

It was also gathered that inside information must have led to the robbery as reports said teachers salaries were lodged in the bank the previous day.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, ASP Nudam Frederick, confirmed the incident. He however said that he was yet to be given a detailed account of the incident.