5 KILLED IN ONDO BANK ROBBERY

No fewer than five persons, including a policeman, were feared killed during a bank robbery in Ogbagi Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, and yesterday. Those killed include two security guards attached to a bank located at Uko quarters in the agrarian town.

An eyewitness account said the robbers blew open the main entrance of the bank and an Automated Teller Machine, ATM, with dynamite, where monies were carted away. Reports had it that the hoodlums, numbering about 15, got to the bank on five motorbikes in a commando-like manner, shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away.

 A police source said that the robbers disguised as commercial (Okada) motorcycle operators, to deceive security operatives attached to the bank, who unknowingly allowed their passengers to alight in front of the bank. On arrival at the bank around noon yesterday, the robbers shot dead one security guard at the entrance of the bank and a policeman seen at the bank premises.

It was gathered that the casualties would have been more if yesterday was market day, as the bank is located opposite the main market.

 They reportedly operated unmolested for about 45 minutes. Vanguard gathered that the robbers headed straight for the strong room, where they packed an undisclosed amount of money.

 Eyewitness account had it that the two persons killed may have been hit by stray bullets within the bank premises. They reportedly escaped through Omuo-Ekiti Road after the operation.

Police image-maker, Femi Joseph, confirmed the killing of three persons, including a policeman. He said detectives were on their trail.