Sad day in Akure: Daredevil robbers inflicted sorrow, pain *Policemen took to their feet *Gallant solders saved the day Muruf Akinlade, Liberty News, Akure News. Date & Time Filed on MyOndoState.Com: 2011-11-22 13:53:38

They looked like everyday people and were all neatly dressed because of the choice of their targets. What was different was that they were die-hard armed robbers with no scruples or mercy for their victims. They recklessly wrecked havoc on Akure today and left in their trail blood, sorrow and death.
A victim, late Bankole Olowoyelu who was a security guard. Photo credit: Yemi Akintomide

For over 40 minutes they operated unchallenged on the popular Oyemekun road. At the end of their escapade, 4 people were confirmed dead, several injured and in critical condition.

In Diamond bank they killed a security guard, Mr. Bankole Olowoyelu who died on the spot right at the entrance of the bank and they indiscriminately shot at anything in site thereby killing more people.

The Police?

Crowd of onlookers on popular Oyemekun road today. Photo credit: Yemi Akintomide
The police was a huge disappointment as many of them were seeing by eye witnesses running away from the scene in a desperate display of cowardice.

Gallant Solders saved the day
Men of the 323 Air Defense Artillery who narrowly missed apprehending another band of dare devil armed robbers last year however proved their gallantry today by moving to town and confronting the armed robbers. The solders succeeded in overpowering the rampaging bandits and successful arrested them.


Bullet riddled wall of Diamond Bank. Photo credit: Yemi AkintomideThe roaring chant of "Up soldiers...!!! Up soldiers...!!! Up soldiers!!!" pervaded Akure as the people heaved a sigh of relief when the news broke that the armed robbers had been apprehended.

A number of the victims had been referred to the teaching hospital in Ile Ife as at the time of this report.
Some of the arrested bandits. Photo credit: Yemi Akintomide