Death toll in Thursday’s robbery attack in Offa community area of
Kwara State has risen to 30, according to a report by Channels
Television. Robbers numbering close to 30 had hit the town and raided five
commercial banks in the Owode Market Area of the town in Offa Local
Government Area of the state.
The attack lasted for hours and left the banks damaged with many
more injured. The armed robbers were said to have made away with several
millions of naira from the banks.
Initial reports put the death toll at between 12 and 15, but the figure has risen significantly.
Nine police officers were among those killed.
Channels Television gathered that the gunmen arrived the town in
seven vehicles and stationed themselves in each of the banks around 4:30
pm.
At the General Hospital Offa, one of the medical doctors revealed
that 21 bodies were brought into the facility and nine of them were
police officers.
The doctor on duty at a private hospital also in the town also confirmed the death of three victims while one was on admission.
Some residents in the area described the robbery as bloody and
called for more security presence in the town, saying the incident has
become an affair of every five years.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has condemned the attack as a wicked act perpetrated by cruel individuals.
“Yesterday’s savage attack on unsuspecting citizens and
establishments in Offa LGA that led to significant loss of lives and
injury is a despicable act committed by cruel individuals.
“Make no mistake, there will never be any valid grounds or
rationale behind such violence that has left many families without their
loved ones — and one more community in grief and shock.”
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People at the scene of robbery incident in Offa on Thursday |
