Dare-devil armed robbers, in commando-style, yesterday, held residents of Ipakodo area of Ikorodu in Lagos hostage for about two hours as they robbed two major banks in the area. The scene of the robbery operation was just a stone’s throw to Ipakodo Divisional Police station. The policemen, who engaged the armed robbers, were, however, overwhelmed.
During the operation, three persons were injured, while an unspecified amount of money was carted away from the banks. The robbers also set five vehicles ablaze and damaged an armoured tank as they escaped from the scene.
Eye witnesses’ accounts said all members of the gang wore masks and were led by a young lady of about 20 years of age. They were said to have used guns, dynamite and charms to scare people during the operation
It was also learned that the three persons injured in the attack were a vulcanizer, a motorcyclist and a policeman who were rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment.
The robbers were said to have arrived Ipakodo around 8.30am, announcing their arrival with sporadic gunfire and use of dynamite to scare residents, road users and bank workers while they operated unhindered till about 10:05am. They came with a dove, mortar and charms, even as the team leader suspended a live tortoise round her neck and tied a snake round her waist.
One of the robbers reportedly sat on the mortar and released the dove into the air to signal commencement of operation.
Eye witnesses said the robbers, who wielded sophisticated weapons, drove to the scene in three SUVs but later escaped in a boat christened Origin Gardens, which operates Ipakodo enroute Victoria Island.
According to an eye witness, Gabriel Anayo, the robbers’ first port of call was a first generation bank, after which they proceeded to another bank and finally to the jetty where they took time to arrange their loot, removed the number plates of the vehicles they came in before setting the cars on fire.
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