Two people were reportedly killed on Thursday evening at Ikere Ekiti, as a five-man robbery gang stormed a First bank branch in the town, carting away on undisclosed sum of money.
One of the victims was identified as a commercial motorcyclist operating in the town.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said one person was killed during the robbery attack. It was learnt that two others were hit by bullets during the attack that lasted close to 30 minutes.
The victims (names not given) were said to be receiving treatment at a hospital.
It was learnt that the bandits trailed a bullion van conveying an undisclosed amount of money from Ado Ekit, the state capital, to the bank in a Nissan saloon car.
The bandits reportedly demolished the security door with a dynamite in order to gain entry into the banking hall and headed straight to the strongroom.
After the operation, the gun-wielding hoodlums were said to have shot into the air to scare he people away before escaping through the Ikere-Ogotun road.
Our correspondent gathered that motorists from Ado Ekiti, the state capital, were taking a detour to escape being hit by stray bullets during the operation.
Those within the vicinity of the bank and residents of Ikere were said to have fled during the gun duel between the police and the hoodlums.
Members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state were reportedly booed by the aggrieved residents in protest against the police late arrival.