On Wednesday, a brazen incident unfolded in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, as a group of around 20 masked robbers executed a simultaneous raid on Wema Bank and Access Bank branches situated in Odo Oja and Oke-osun areas of the town at approximately 5 p.m.
Prior to their assault on the banks, the criminals targeted the Ikere command of the Amotekun Corps along Ise Road, where they opened fire on operatives before proceeding with their nefarious activities.
Tragically, the robbery spanned approximately 45 minutes, resulting in the loss of three lives and numerous others sustaining injuries. The exact amount of cash taken during the heist remains undisclosed.
The armed robbers blasted the security doors of the banks with dynamites.
The explosives also destroyed several cars parked within the vicinity of the banks.
The police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Abutu, could not be reached for his comments as of the time of filing this report.
Calls and messages to his mobile phone were not responded to.
However, the traditional ruler of Ikere Ekiti, Adejimi Alagbado, in a telephone conversation with reporters in Ado Ekiti, expressed shock over the incident.
He said it was unfortunate that the robbers carried out the operations for several minutes unchallenged despite the presence of military checkpoints and Police Area Command in the town.
Mr Alagbado said he had discussed the matter with the security agents and told them that the robbers must be arrested and prosecuted.
