Two policemen have been killed by armed robbers who attacked a commercial bank in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.
Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin, the state command’s spokesperson, in a statement, on Wednesday, confirmed the attack.
The robbers, numbering about 20, reportedly came in with about four vehicles and simultaneously attacked Iragbiji Divisional Police Headquarters and a bank.
Olawoyin, who identified the deceased as Inspector Ogunbiyi Ahmed and Inspector Odeyemi Ayinla, also noted that they died during the hot pursuit of the fleeing criminals.
“The gunmen invaded the Police Divisional Headquarters and a bank with sporadic shooting and launching of explosive devices in an attempt to disorganize, incapacitate and destabilize the police who were in a fierce gun battle with them while robbing the bank simultaneously.
“As a result, some parts of Divisional Police Headquarters were damaged. The daredevils also shot at a Police Armoured Personnel Carrier tyres with explosive devices”, the statement said.
Although, it was reported that they gained entry into the bank by blowing off its security door with a stick of dynamite and subsequently destroyed the ATM machine, however, an attempt to break into the bank’s strong room foiled.
Upon sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in a fierce gun duel and took to a flight, thereby abandoning their unexploded dynamites and two of their vehicles.
Meanwhile, police officers in collaboration with the local security outfits have been combing the bushes in a bid to arrest the robbers, believed to have escaped with multiple injuries.
Also, the Osun state Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, has appealed to residents of the state to cooperate with the police.
The Police Chief solicited prompt and useful information to nip in the bud all criminal activities by reporting anybody with gunshot wounds.
