Igarra Town, Edo State: A policeman and about 11 others were killed while several others sustained gunshot injuries, on Thursday, 9th August as armed robbers invaded Igarra town, the headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The robbers unleashed terror in the town as they attempted to rob two commercial banks – Unity Bank and Keystone Bank.

The policemen attached to the banks had engaged the bandits in exchange of gunfire, which resulted death of three.

Elder Folorunsho Dania, who confirmed the incident on Thursday Evening, phone said: “This is a serious case. Armed robbers have besieged Igarra. So many lives were lost; 10 bodies have been counted.”

The police station was set ablaze, while the Area Commander’s new car was torched. Also, close to the police station, three people were killed. In the banks – Keystone Bank and Unity Bank – many persons were killed. In all, 10 lives have gone.

“They could not access the strong rooms of the banks. The people that were killed in the bank were outside the bank premises. Four persons were killed on the bank premises. A policeman was killed in the police station. Also, a stone throw from the police station, three persons were killed. Igarra is in a war scene; I am right at the police station.”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, have also confirmed the incident.

This is a repetition of same activity as at 2015 when a gang of armed robbers had robbed two commercial banks in the area, leaving at least six persons dead.