Armed robbers, yesterday evening, attacked four commercial banks in Uromi, Esan North-East council of Edo State, killing seven persons and making away with an unspecified amount of cash.
Two policemen and five others were killed in the coordinated attacks, it was said.
They were said to have come in many vehicles and attacked the banks with dynamites and bullets.
The attack lasted over one hour, causing panic in the community, a source said, adding that security men were caught unawares.
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According to the source, the robbers seemed to have come prepared for the operation, with policemen, soldiers and other security personnel unable to stop them.
The source, speaking anonymously, said: “The armed robbers laid siege, right from Angle 90 Junction in Uromi, through Tazona Junction, with heavy gunfire and explosives, while four commercial banks were simultaneously attacked.
“A metallic/silver Toyota Lexus 350 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) was fully loaded with cash, which the armed robbers hurriedly escaped with, while moving towards Ubiaza old road, and shooting intermittently to scare passersby and prevent any challenge from security operatives.”
Police spokesman, Bello Kontongs, confirmed that two of their men and five others were killed in the attacks.
“That’s true,” he told our correspondent.
