Saturday, January 22, 2011
Armed robbers in the early hours of yesterday allegedly bombed a new generation bank in Ayobo, a Lagos Suburb. It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering about 50, stormed the bank at about 1. 30a.m and operated for three hours. A visit to the bank showed that its bulletproof security doors were smashed with a powerful explosive. Also, three Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and the bank’s security post were wreaked by bullets and dynamites.
Sources revealed that the police have recovered one unexpended dynamite at the scene.
When Saturday Sun visited the bank yesterday, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were stationed at the bank. Also, there were police vans in the bank premises.
A source in the bank told newsmen that no life was lost and that no money was carted away by the invading gunmen, who allegedly came from Ayetoro boundary of Ogun State. He explained that the robbers were unsuccessful because of the security measures put in place in the bank, while giving assurance that there was no cause for alarm.
The bank chief explained that newsmen were not allowed to enter the bank for security reasons, adding that security operatives have to do forensic analysis at the scene.
It was gathered that immediately the robbers arrived the bank, they divided themselves into three groups. One group barricaded the road that led to the bank from Iyana-Ipaja; the second group blocked the road from the other end, while the third forced its way into the bank building.
Residents of Ayobo, who pleaded anonymity, likened the incident to the Ikeja bomb blast that occurred on Sunday, January 27, 2001. They said the sound of the explosives and gunshots woke them from their sleep and they scampered for safety.
One of the residents stated: “At 1. 00a.m, I heard heavy sound and I stood up immediately. I listened carefully and the sound continued at intervals. At first, I thought it was another Ikeja bomb blast. So, I went to hide under my bed but the sound continued. Later, I realised that the sound was coming from the location of the bank.”
Another resident, Sikiru Iyanda, told Saturday Sun: “When the sound from the dynamites and gunshots woke me up, what came to my mind was that these Boko Haram militants have come to invade Lagos. So, I called my wife and children and we began to pray.
“It was in the middle of the night; we could not run anywhere. All we could do was to pray to God to save us. It was later that we got to know that armed robbers came to the bank to operate.”
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