Police in Osun have confirmed the death of two inspectors who tried to thwart a bank robbery by “bandits” on Tuesday in Iragbiji, Boripe local government area of the state.

Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the police in Osun, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Ms Opalola gave the name of the murdered officers as Ogunbiyi Ahmed and Odeyemi Ayinla.

She recalled that the bandits, numbering 20, came in commando-style at about 2.55 p.m. in four vehicles and attacked the Iragbiji Divisional Police Headquarters and Wema Bank in the town.

“The robbers invaded the Police Divisional Headquarters and Wema Bank with sporadic shooting and launching of explosive devices in an attempt to disorganise, incapacitate and destabilise the police, who are in a fierce gun battle with them while robbing the bank,” the police statement disclosed. “As a result, some parts of Divisional Police Headquarters were damaged. The robbers also shot at an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) tyres with explosive devices.”

According to the police, the robbers blew up the bank’s security door and ATM with dynamites but could break into its strong room.

“It is unfortunate that in the course of the incident and during the pursuit of the fleeing bandits, two police inspectors, namely Insp. Ogunbiyi Ahmed and Insp. Odeyemi Ayinla were shot dead,’’ added the statement.

Ms Opalola also noted that during a fierce shootout, the bandits fled, abandoning their unused dynamite and two vehicles.

She appealed to residents to report to the police any person or persons with suspected gunshot wounds. 

Osun has witnessed several bank robberies this year.

In June, armed robbers killed seven persons.

Last month, at least two persons were killed in an armed robbery in Boripe LGA.

(NAN)