Voice Air Media, VAM News Update

A group of notorious armed robbers on Thursday attacked two commercial banks in Anyingba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, reportedly killing two persons in the process.

Eyewitnesses said that there were sporadic shootings, with multiple banks, including Union Bank and Access Bank, targeted in the robbery, around 5pm.

The eyewitnesses said security operatives swiftly swung into action and seriously battled the criminals in exchange of gunshots.

A policeman, simply identified as Idoko, who said to have just been transferred to the station, was reportedly killed in the process.

Also, a Hausa man, popularly known as Alagama, a petty trader at the roundabout in the town – a few metres to the scene of the incident – was reportedly hit by a stray bullet and died.

The gunmen were reported to have trailed a bullion van to one of the banks and disarmed its security details before carting away all the money.

Similarly, another group said to be members of the gang invaded another bank in the town and made away with unspecified amount of money.

A resident, Alidu Baba said, “It appears the robbers were in the town before the arrival of the bullion vans of the bank.

“They were seen in different groups at different locations around the bank areas shooting sporadically while the operation lasted.Idoko, who was killed have just been transferred to the station from Lokoja.”

Our correspondent gathered that operatives of the Nigerian Navy stationed nearby engaged the armed robbers in a gun battle, making them to abort their plan to rob more banks in the town.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP William Aya, did not respond to calls or text sent to him on the incident.