“Commando’ robbers attack banks in Uromi, Edo State; Five feared dead

Armed robbers on Thursday attacked some commercial banks in Uromi, headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Footage from scene:

No fewer than five persons, including policemen, were reportedly killed during the attacks.

The Edo State Police Command spokesman, Kontongs Bello, confirmed the robbery attacks but did not give details.

The suspected armed robbers were also said to have carted away unspecified huge sums of money from the affected banks.

Photos from some scenes of incident;

Sources said that the attacks on the banks were too coordinated.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, described the attacks as “too coordinated in commando style and armed robbers launched the attacks simultaneously. This is novel in this town”.

Other sources in the town listed the banks affected by the activities of the suspected armed robbers to include Zenith Bank, First Bank, Unity Bank and the United Bank for Africa.

“The sporadic shots by the armed robbers caused panic in the town. The robbers came prepared. People are just running helter-skelter,” another source said.

Residents were said to be making contacts with security agencies to come to the rescue of the banks and the residents.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Office, Kontongs Bello, confirmed the attacks.