Dare-devil armed robbers numbering about 50 yesteday staged a commando attack on four banks located at Oke-Odo Iwo, Osun State, carting away millions of naira.


The robbers who arrived the sleepy town at about 9 a.m. used explosives to blast the security doors of the banks.

The attack on the four banks located near the Bowen University, claimed the life of a police Inspector, Christopher Atama.

Daily Sun gathered that the robbers who came in three buses and a mazda car, cornered Atama while the other policemen on duty fled. Some policemen allegedly left their weapons behind when they were overpowered by the robbers. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Olusegun confirmed the death of the officer and loss of weapons.”

“He said: it is true that about 50 armed bandits attacked some banks in Iwo. Ten policemen were on the ground when they arrived and once we got the information, another team was raced to reinforce them. Gun battle ensued and they fled. “We are on their trail and they will soon be arrested. We will also recover our stolen arms. Members of the public should join us by giving us useful information about criminals.”

Residents of Iwo hurriedly closed their doors as they thought the invasion was by Boko Haram sect.

The deafening noise of the explosives accompanied by sporadic shootings triggered sending of Save Our Soul (SOS) especially by the students of the Bowen University.

“We thought Boko Haram has made good its threat to bomb universities. Many of us started making calls and sending text messages pleading for protection and prayers,” Tope, a student at the university disclosed.

The General Secretary of Nigerian Baptist Convention/Visitor to Bowen University ,Dr. Olasupo Ayokunle and the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro said no student or member of staff was killed or injured in the attack.

“I got series of conflicting reports this morning about the armed robbery attack at Iwo.I came from Ibadan to see things for myself. Thank God, nobody is injured in the campus. Normal activities of the school is not affected,” Ayokunle said. Apart from the four banks, a storey building housing Nigerian Association of Patent Medicine Dealers (NAPMED).Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa chapter was riddled with bullets.

The Chairman of the association, Mr. Lukman Oseni said the misfortune came their way because the policemen always sit in front of the building.

Atama was killed in front of the building and his blood splattered all over the ground floor while bullets destroyed many belongings of the association. The slain police officer’s son ,Chinedu was inconsolable when he was met at the Divisional Police Station.

“My Dad must not die. I saw him this morning and he did not say he will never return. Where’s my dad? Dad where are you?It’s not true. Atama is not dead,”he wailed. Commercial activities in the town were adversely affected as other banks refused to open after the attack.

http://odili.net/news/source/2011/sep/23/511.html