About ten people were confirmed dead yesterday, including four police officers, bank customers & other residents were killed as robbers invaded five commercial banks, in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday.
According to some eye-witness at the scene says that the robbers are 30 in numbers, and they blew up entrances into the banks with dynamite in an operation which lasted for more than one hour.
The information further reaching us reported that the bandits, numbering about 15, came in with about four vehicles. As they blocked access to the town from Ilorin and Osogbo and entered Owode Police Station in the metropolis. They were reported to have operated for about one hour from around 4:30 pm.
According to our finding, the allege banks raided yesterday in Offa are Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Union Bank and Eco Bank.
The robbers then invaded the community police station known as Owode Police Station where some police officers and a few civilians were shot dead.
Among those reportedly killed by the robbers were a police officer, who was expected to retire in the next few months, and a pregnant policewoman.
An eye-witness learned that the gunmen made away with millions of naira after shattering bank buildings, terrorizing workers, customers, and passersby, as well as traders and other people in the vicinity.
A witness, who did not want to be identified, said he saw the corpses of six policemen.
“The ground was littered with corpses. Many people died. I counted six corpses of some policemen at the scene,” he said.
There was a brazenly callous and horrendous robbery attack in Offa local government area of kwara state today. Four police officers and many civilians have been killed or terribly injured. #PrayForOffa @bukolasaraki @rafiuibrahim @AbdulfataAhmed @PoliceNG pic.twitter.com/kFBdqUZyEe
— AkobiWenger (@Herfiezu) April 5, 2018
My condolences goes to the families of those that lost their lives in offa,KWARA state after d dreaded robbery. @segalink @PoliceNG pic.twitter.com/pBbxu4z2Ku
— FEMI LUSKY (@luskokogee) April 6, 2018
May the soul of victims who lost their life’s during the bank robbery attacked at Offa Community, Kwara State yesterday rest in peace.#PrayForOffa .@GhesheS @segalink @DrJoeAbah @yinkanubi @YemieFASH @MrBanksOmishore @MsTyma_ @kwaragovt @PoliceNG @vogunyinka @lotufodunrin pic.twitter.com/lCMMYUMBhc
— OLAWOYIN Edris Busayo,anipr (@Olawoyin4u) April 6, 2018
An Internet user said cars on the bank’s premises were also burnt. He said,
“My siblings just came back home. They were on their way back to church and were caught in the crossfire close to Zenith Bank. “According to them, no military force confronted the robbers throughout the operation. They used dynamite and crazy guns.
“They saw four people killed. They would have been killed because after they (robbers) finished the operation, a few of them opined that they should release gunfire on them (my siblings and those close to them), but a man, who seemed to be their boss, told them they had little time left and had no option than to exit immediately. Cars were burnt; cars were stolen. They exited through Igbosun route.”
Graphic pictures of slain policemen and residents were posted by some residents on the Internet.
I commiserate with the people of Offa, the King, Chiefs, elders, the Govt and Governor of Kwara @AbdulfataAhmed on this very depressing and unfortunate incident. No effort must be spared to apprehend the bandits.
May Allah rest the deceased, heal the injured and secure the land.— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) April 6, 2018
Yesterday’s bank robbery in Offa LGA, that led to significant loss of lives and injury is a despicable act committed by cruel individuals. No stone will be left unturned until the perpetrators of this act are caught and brought to justice.
Read more here: https://t.co/j4KkGUAZ7y
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 6, 2018
I am saddened by the tragic events at Offa today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died in the armed robbery attack in the town today. I am in constant touch with the security agencies in… https://t.co/5KBs3WIWUn
— Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed (@AbdulfataAhmed) April 5, 2018