Robbers raid five banks in Ogun varsity

Written by  Segun Olugbile

Olabisi Onabanjo University logoFile

Heavily armed suspected robbers struck at the permanent site of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State on Thursday, where no fewer than five banks were raided.

The bandits’ invasion was said to have disrupted the semester examination currently going on in the university.

The hoodlums, numbering 20, were said to have stormed the institution about 11.45am and carted away huge sums of money after their one hour of operation.

It was learnt that the armed robbers, who used explosives to break doors and windows, also vandalised four vehicles parked in the school premises.

It was learnt that the First City Monument Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank were the financial institutions in the university attacked by the bandits.

Unconfirmed reports said some students were hit by stray bullets while others lost their money and personal belongings in the ensuing confusion.

The Chairman, OOU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Adesola Nassir, said he was on his way to the campus when he heard gun shots which forced him to make a quick detour.

It was learnt that no one was killed in the attack.

THE PUNCH gathered that the bandits operated unchallenged as security operatives attached to the banks fled for their dear lives apparently due to the superior firepower of the robbers.

A source said, “The armed robbers came at about 11:45am in a Toyota Hilux van. They were armed to the teeth and were shooting sporadically into the air. They attacked about five banks and at the end of the day, carted away millions of Naira.

“I can’t tell the number of students injured but some were hit by stray bullets while some lost their property and money in the process of running helter skelter. The security officials could not do anything; they were helpless as the robbers operated in the banks.

“They shot at four vehicles, one of the vehicles belong to a lecturer.

“But thank God, nobody has been confirmed dead as a result of the robbery attack.”

The university Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sam Oyeleye, confirmed the robbery but said only one student was injured during the incident.

Oyeleye added that the victim had already been rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

The state Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkemdeme, was said to have visited the robbery scene.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the robbery.

Adejobi said, “The CP led a team to Ago Iwoye for an on-the-spot-assessment of the attack. We are working on some leads and we hope we will soon apprehend the robbers.

SOURCE: Punch Newspaper, 11 November 2011. http://punchontheweb.com

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