Robbers raid bank’s ATM, vault in Ogun

Written by The Punch Wednesday, 21 July 2010

No fewer than 10 suspected armed robbers on Tuesday invaded a branch of Wema Bank Plc in Ago Iwoye, Ijebu North Local Government of Ogun State on Tuesday, carting away an unspecified amount of money from the Automatic Teller Machine and vault.

Our correspondent learnt that the bandits arrived the bank, located in Ibipe, Olopomerin area of Ago Iwoye, in two vehicles.

They were said to have caused confusion in the area for about one hour in the bank, which is adjacent to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Rasaq Adenugba.

In the attack, which came 10 days after suspected hoodlums ambushed and killed four policemen in the area, the robbers fired several shots in the bank premises and on the streets to scare away residents and bank customers.

It was further learnt that while the robbers, who arrived at 12.30pm, thoroughly searched the banking hall and customers who were already in the premises. They also seized cash from the vault and the ATM.

A resident of the town, who informed our correspondent of the robbery with gun shots booming in the background, said the hoodlums operated in the bank for close to one hour.

“They are still shooting; it’s at the Wema Bank because it’s at the back of our street. They are even shooting on the street,” the informant said.

Some residents, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday, said some policemen and members of a vigilance group in the town rushed to the scene after the robbers had escaped through Isara Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday, stated that some policemen confronted the robbers without any help from the vigilance group.

He also confirmed that the bandits escaped with an unspecified amount of money.

“Our men on patrol pursued them along Isara Road but they could not catch up with the robbers. They raided the bank, including the ATM but there was no casualty,” Adejobi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said.