No fewer than 10 persons have been reportedly killed after an Edo state bank robbery yesterday.

Suspected gunmen on Thursday invaded the town of Igarra, in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday evening in an attempt to rob the Unity Bank and Keystone Bank branches in the area.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, confirmed the attack which occurred Thursday evening.

The robbers are said to have first attacked the local police station close to the banks in a bid to demobilise the security operatives.

At the station, they shot and killed a policeman on duty along with two detainees. Three other persons outside the station were killed by the robbers.

The robbers also set the only vehicle on sight, a Toyota Hilux on fire before proceeding to attack the banks. The Hilux was the official vehicle of a newly posted area commander.

When the robbers got to the banks, at least four other persons were reportedly killed at the banks when the armed men could not gain access to the vaults of the banks.

Although sources said that the robbers found it difficult to access the vaults of the banks, it was not clear if they succeeded in carting away cash.

One of the residents, Ofei Obende, said that the youths tried to resist the robbers but were overpowered by their superior firepower.

Obende, however, noted that the daredevil robbers were later engaged in an exchange of gunfire by the police.

Police commissioner said three of the robbers were killed during the gun duel.

Kokumo said,

“I am intercepting messages; give me few minutes so that I can brief you. But the good news is we gunned three of the robbers down.”

A gang of armed robbers had robbed two commercial banks in this same area back in 2015, leaving at least six persons dead.

Speaking on his mobile phone from Igarra, the Palace Secretary to the paramount ruler of the community, Otaru of Igarra, Elder Folorunsho Dania confirmed the incident.

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