Armed Robbers Storm First Bank, Steal Millions in Imo

Deadly gunmen stormed a branch of a first generation bank in Imo State carting away several millions of nairas.

 

Armed robbers on Friday invaded a branch of First Bank Plc located at Amaraku Main Market in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo state, stealing millions of naira.

The attack, which was said to have started at about 2:30 pm, lasted one hour and 30 minutes.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that over eight gunmen, who were said to have arrived in an SUV, quickly cordoned off the bank premises and robbed customers and workers of the bank.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the armed robbers disarmed security men attached to the bank and immediately shot into the air to scare away customers making use of the automated teller machine.

According to the eyewitness, while some of the robbers blocked the Owerri-Okigwe Expressway, shooting into the air sporadically throughout the period of the attack, other members of the gang were strategically positioned inside and outside the bank premises.

The gunmen in the banking hall were said to have commanded the workers and customers to lie down, before ordering members of staff to lead them to the safe.

The source added that the armed robbers, who operated without the intervention of any security agency, carted away bags stuffed with millions of naira.

The robbers were said to have destroyed gadgets and other properties of the bank in the process.

At least five million naira was believed to have been stolen by the armed robbers.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Andrew Enwerem, did not comment. A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, confirmed the robbery attack to our correspondent.

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How a 3-day-old Baby Stolen from Hospital was Rescued by the Police in Imo State (Photo)

Barely 48-hours after the birth at the Chukwunonso Maternity in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo state, a new baby was stolen by unknown child thieves. The baby being rescued According to a report by Channels TV, the Imo state police command has rescued a 3-day old baby, born to the family of Mr and Mrs Oluebube Ekwedike of Umuezealaowerre Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. While reuniting the baby with his parents on Monday, the Imo State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, said the baby was said to have been stolen by unknown child thieves barely 48-hours after the baby was given birth to at the Chukwunonso Maternity in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state. He said that after the issue was reported to the police, the men of the command swung into action and arrested two suspects who were at the verge of selling off the baby. The mother of the baby, Uchechi Ekwedike, 21, who could not hide her joy seeing her baby again, said she was tricked by the culprits in order to steal her baby. After reuniting the baby with his parents at the command headquarters in Owerri, the capital of Imo State in southeast Nigeria, Mr Lakanu said despite the numerous warnings for people to desist from child stealing and trafficking, some persons were still adamant in causing pain and sorrow on innocent members of the society. He said: “My team, the entire Imo State Police Command, will not rest on its oars to ensure that criminal offenses are brought to its barest minimum in the state. “It is so unfortunate that such barbaric behaviour still exists amongst our people. But the arrest of these ones should serve as a deterrent to other child thieves across the state and to make them realise that no matter how smart they are, the hands of the law will catch up with them”. While speaking to reporters in an incoherent manner, the prime suspect, Mrs Ngozi Anyanwu, claimed that the act was not intentional as it was targeted at the owner of the maternity home who she claimed was owing her some amount of money prior to the incidence.

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Graphic Photos: 7 Dead In Clash Between Hausa/Fulani & The Imo Community

No fewer than seven persons were killed yesterday evening in Akokwa community in Ideato North council of Imo State, following a bloody clash between the Hausa/Fulani community and the indigenes.

It was gathered that trouble started when a member of the Hausa community had allegedly attacked and killed two of the indigenes and thereafter killed himself.

Angered by the dastardly act, the indigenes in a reprisal attacked the Hausa community, where four persons were killed as well as the destruction of several properties and houses.

According to the a source, “an Hausa man who lives in Akokwa community had run amok, attacked and killed two indigenes and then killed himself, and angered by the terrible action of the Northerner who attacked an killed innocent indigenes of the community, and in the reprisal attack by the indigenes to avenge the deaths of their kinsmen, four other persons were killed with several properties and houses burnt down.

The source added, “ as I speak to you now many people have fled the community for fear of further attacks.”.

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