Death toll from deadly Offa bank robbery rises to 30 (Graphic Photos)

The death toll from the deadly robbery of five banks which took place in Offa, Kwara State has risen to 30, according to reports.

12 victims including six policemen and six civilians were initially reported to have lost their lives during the attack but the latest count is a sharp increase in the number of casualties earlier reported.

According to an eyewitness who declined to be named, the body count from the robbery scene indicated that no less than 30 victims lost their lives during the attack.

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The witness said; “I personally counted up to 30 dead bodies and I am sure the figure might increase because a lot of people were critically injured by gunshots.”

However, Mr. Lawan Ado, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, insists that nine policemen and seven civilians were killed during the deadly bank robbery attack.

Ado stated that the police intelligence response team have arrived from Abuja to support the team on ground for a thorough investigation.

He added that seven suspects have been taken into custody. “We arrested one person yesterday and six persons today in connection with the robbery”, he revealed.

Reports say the robbers numbering up to 30 split themselves into teams to rob five banks including Guarantee Trust Bank, Eco Bank, First Bank, Union Bank and Zenith Bank in the town.

They reportedly blew up the entrances to the banks with dynamite and were said to have carted away millions of naira in cash shooting into the air sporadically to scare away residents and passersby.

The robbers then invaded the community police station known as Owode Police Station where some police officers and a few civilians were shot dead in cold blood.

Governor of the state, Abdulfatah Ahmed while reacting to the incident, urged residents to be calm as security agencies were working earnestly to bring the attackers to justice.

The governor in a statement on his Facebook page wrote: “I am very saddened by the tragic events at Offa today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died in the armed robbery attack in the town today.

“I am in constant touch with the security agencies in the state and have urged them to do all within their power to secure Offa and environs and bring the attackers to justice”.

He also visited some of the victims in hospital and promised that the state government will foot the bill for their treatments.

In his reaction, the Senate President, who is also a former governor of the state, Bukola Saraki described the Thursday coordinated bank robberies and attack as a despicable act committed by cruel individuals.

In a post on his Facebook page, Saraki stated that he and Governor Ahmed had spoken, earlier on Thursday evening, and they both agree that no stone will be left unturned until those that carried out the attack and robberies are found and prosecuted swiftly.

He said: “Yesterday’s savage attack on unsuspecting citizens and establishments in Offa LGA, that led to significant loss of lives and injury is a despicable act committed by cruel individuals.

“Make no mistake, there will never be any valid grounds or rationale behind such violence that has left many families without their loved ones — and one more community in grief and shock”.

Also reacting, the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko called for the decentralisation of Nigerian police.

In his twitter handle, Dr Mimiko said “the Offa ‘armed robbery’ was most likely a terrorist attack. Was a clear pointer to our general vulnerability, not only in the villages but also in our cities. We have to urgently review our security architecture, transparently deepen our investment and DECENTRALIZE the police!”

 

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