14th December, 2021
Richard Elesho
A large number of gunmen late Tuesday afternoon launched coordinated attacks on banks in Yagba axis of West senatorial zone of Kogi State, killing a yet to be ascertained number of persons.
The marauders started their raid at about 4pm on Tuesday in Egbe town, Yagba West Local Government Area, LGA.
Sounds of sporadic gunshots rented the air and people ran helter-skelter as the gunmen raided a nonfunctional First Bank, before moving to another bank in the ancient town.
It was gathered that from Egbe, they continued their free rein to Odo-Ere, headquarter of Yagba West Local Government Area, LGA, where they attacked one of the old generation banks branch in the town.
A terrified eye witness who abandoned his motorcycle to run for cover told this Reporter that someone was killed close to the spot where he left the motorcycle.
He claimed that a policeman also took strategic cover, from where he emerged when the gunshots faded.
A retiree who was in Egbe for an outing service of his boss and was caught in the raid posted live remarks on the robbery on the social media. He wrote:
“If you call me now you will hear sounds of gun shots. I am at Egbe now, and all the banks along this axis are being robbed right now. Pls pray for me.
“Two banks in Egbe and another in Odo Ere are being robbed right away. From my hide out, gun shots are echoing like any how. Thank God. It’s like they are shooting away now. I had never been this afraid in my life. They are even so close but we are all hoping and praying they are on their way going.
It would be recalled that gunmen attacked an old generation bank and a police station in Isanlu, headquarter of Yagba East LGA earlier this year.
Not less than 10 policemen and ordinary citizens were killed in that attack, during which dynamite and assorted weapons were allegedly deployed.
Insecurity has gradually degenerated in Kogi West and other parts of the State. Only last night gunmen abducted mother of Asuku Jamiu, Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello. They were yet to make contact at the time of this report.