Police confirm failed bank attacks in Osun; four officers, three others killed

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed attempted bank robberies by some armed gangs in Ikire and Apomu towns which left seven persons comprising security operatives and innocent locals dead.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the gunmen stormed the towns in an attempt to attack the banks there.

They were said to have stormed the area in about five vehicles and attack the police station in Ikire, as well as an armoured vehicle at Ikoyi-Osun.

“Gentlemen of the press, it is true that there was attempted bank robbery in Ikire/Apomu today, Wednesday 2nd June 2021 at about 1810hours (6.10 pm),” the Police Public Relations in Osun, Opalola Olawoyin, said in a statement hours after the incident.

She added, “The armed robbers numbering about 35 came in about five vehicles, simultaneously attacked Ikire Divisional Police HQ and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) pinned down at Ikoyi-Osun with several explosive devices and several gun firing in a bid to subdue the capacity of the police while attempting to rob First Bank Ikire and Access Bank Apomu respectively.”

The command spokesperson confirmed that two police officers and two special constabularies were shot dead by the assailants in the process, and three locals were killed thereafter.

They included Osho Oluranti – an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Lekan Olalere – an Inspector, as well as Oladeni Olalekan and Oyedeji Muyideen.

She noted that as soon as the command was notified of the attack, a combined team of operatives of the Prompt Response Unit (PRU), CP’s Surveillance team, IRT, STS, 39 PMF, JTF, as well as local security outfits moved to the scene.

On their arrival, Opalola said the reinforcement team swiftly engaged the robbers in a fierce gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee.

“While escaping, they shot sporadically and regrettably, three civilians were shot namely; Toheeb Oyebola, Temilorun Adebiyi, and one other (whose identity is not yet known), all males,” she said.

The command’s spokesperson stated that the gunmen did not succeed in robbing any of the banks, adding that they fled into the bush with gunshot wounds and abandoned two of the operational vehicles they came with.

She said the bodies of the slain security personnel and locals have been deposited at a morgue in Apomu and effort was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.