Thursday, 11th August was a day of sorrow tears and blood in Ilaro, Ogun State as armed robbers in their tens stormed the town and raided four banks simultaneously. Street Journal gathered that they stormed the town in about six different vehicles. The robbery left at least four people dead, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The robbers’ mode of operation has shown that robbers have advanced beyond the hindrance often posed by banks’ security doors and metal detectors. Apart from spending more money to procure guns that often put them at an advantage over the police, robber now invest in rocket launchers, hand grenades and armour-piercing bullets.

Eye witnesses disclosed that the security doors at the affected banks in Ilaro gave way to the explosive devices and rocket launchers carried by the robbers. “As soon as the doors gave way, they started shooting. It was as if they were not going to stop” a witness said.

Street Journal gathered that in the operations that lasted for almost an hour, an undisclosed amount of money, jewellery, phones and other valuables were taken from victims in the banks. Those who lost their lives were reportedly cut down by the robbers’ endless hail of bullets.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Nicholas Daaru Nkemdem confirmed the robbery incident. The robbers escaped into Lagos State after they had unleashed terror and caused panic in the whole town.

Some of those who spoke to Street Journal disclosed that it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay long in banks these days. A bank customer said “I pray before going to the bank nowadays because it is not a matter of how long one stays. What if the robbers arrive after one enters? ”
Similar robberies were also reported in banks around Ojota and Ogudu Road in Lagos yesterday.

http://thestreetjournal.org/2011/08/how-robbers-blasted-their-way-into-ilaro-banks/