Uromi in Edo State, on Thursday, witnessed one of the most daring bank robbery in Nigeria’s recent history.
More than 20 armed men attacked the town, under Esan North-West LGA in broad daylight, and operated for about 2 hours.
Explosives were used to breach the banks’ entrance, while packages of money were carried out and stuffed in different cars.
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Photos and videos on social media show the level of carnage and murder of Nigerians, including security officers.
The number of casualties is unknown but figures provided by eyewitnesses suggest no less than 7 deaths; others sustained injuries.
The residents accused the police and other security agencies of abandoning them. One footage shows two soldiers taking cover amid gunfire.
The robbery and killings elicited outrage from Nigerians, wondering how the assailants operated freely.
Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Kongtons Bello, said the leadership was assessing the situation.
Edo PDP chieftain condoles with families, calls for state police
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, Ose Anenih, has condemned the deadly assault on the Uromi community of Edo State, in the aftermath of the shocking armed robbery attack on banks that left seven people dead, including two policemen.
He said he was taken aback by the well-coordinated attack by the armed robbers, calling on the Federal Government to approve the set up of state police.
Anenih, who made the call in Uromi after visiting the scenes of the robberies, said state police would enhance swift local response to local challenges, which must be accommodated in the ongoing constitutional review.
He said, “My heart goes out to the immediate families of the dead and the entire Uromi community over the callous robbery attack that has devastated our community.
“There is no pursuit that is worth taking the life of any human being. These barbaric killings of innocent people must not go unpunished, and I want to urge the Police to respond swiftly to apprehend the killers.
“It is heart-wrenching that the state, and Nigeria at large, have been crippled by rising insecurity. I believe that this is a result of not just an absence of morality and conscience in these criminals; but also a failure of our current security architecture to curtail the excesses of these criminals.
