At least three vehicles allegedly used by the armed robbers who attacked the WEMA Bank branch at Iyin Ekiti in the Ifelodun Irepodun Council area of Ekiti State on Friday, have been recovered by the police in Ekiti State said on Saturday.
The Commissioner for Police in the state, Tunde Mobayo, who confirmed that there was no casualty, said the police had also recovered “some Improvised Explosive Device, some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two handsets”.
Mobayo, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Sunday Abutu, titled ‘Bank robbery in WEMA Bank, Iyin Ekiti and the recovery of three vehicles’, enjoined the citizens “not to be apprehensive as serious effort is ongoing to ensure the arrest of the suspects”.
The commissioner stated that at about 3.55pm on Friday, “a group of heavily armed robbers numbering 10 with one Volkswagen Golf with Reg. No. GED906AA, one Acura MDX Jeep with Reg No. LSR327CD and one Toyota Camry Car with Reg No. GED106ER stormed the branch of WEMA Bank in Iyin Ekiti, overpowered the mobile policemen posted to the bank due to their large number and robbed the bank. Although, there was no casualty.
“A swift reinforcement from the police to the scene made the robbers retreat with the three vehicles. The police operatives however, gave the armed robbers a hot chase, exchanged fire with them during which they abandoned the three vehicles and took to their heels into the forest.
“The Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command which comprise the Police Mobile Force, Special Anti Robbery Squad, SAFER HIGHWAY as well as the local vigilantes led by the Divisional Police Officer are currently combing the bush for the possible arrest of the suspects”.
Mobayo also implored all the good people of Ekiti State “to be vigilant and report to the nearest police station any suspicious movement or suspected person or group of persons they see in their Communities or call Police Control Room Number on 08062335577”.