15 persons, including four policemen killed as bank robbers in army uniform blow open Firstbank

Stunned residents in Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, watched petrified yesterday as bank robbers in army uniforms, in army vehicles, stormed Firstbank in a deadly attack.

Before the operation was over, 15 persons, including four policemen had been mowed down.

In a Hollywood movie-style attack, the robbers split in two groups, with a group blocking a police station on Owo Road, the other attacked the bank on Jubilee Road. The policemen were killed at their station. Other victims, were killed at the premises of Firstbank. Some of the victims were believed to be students of Lennon Jubilee, Ikare, who were just closing from the school.  They were killed at ATM point. This is the second time within a year that robbers had raided branches of the same bank in the town. In the first operation last year, the robbers blew up the bank with dynamite.  Ia similar attack yesterday, making people to suspect the gang was the same that attacked last year, the robbers attacked with dynamite.  A police source later said: "The robbers were dressed in mobile uniforms and had two military vehicles. They cleaned the bank and made away with tons of cash." The operation was said to have lasted over an hour.