At least one person was feared killed on Thursday morning when a 12-man armed bandits struck at a first generation bank in Isselle-Uku in Aniocha North LGA, Delta Delta State.

Police authorities alleged that there could be an insiders’ collaboration in the robbery attack.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Lucky Uyabeme, the bank was expecting unspecified “huge sums” of money, but said the bandits attacked before the money arrived.

The bandits were said to have arrived the bank in an unmarked Toyota Siena space bus at about 11am and shot sporadically to scare away the bank customers before blowing open the vault with an explosive, suspected to be a dynamite.

According to an eyewitness, who craved anonymity, the robbers cordoned off all access roads to Isselle-Uku town from other neighbouring towns like Onicha-Ukwu, Ubulu-Okiti, Isselle-Mkpitime and Onicha-Ugbo.

The hoodlums were said to be heavily armed and shooting indiscriminately.

During the shooting, stray bullets reportedly hit a roadside mechanic on the head, while a girl was shot in the buttocks in the ensuing confusion as residents fled in different directions.

According to the source, the robbery operation, that created pandemonium in the sub-urban community and lasted for about 30 minutes, was carried out successfully without any interference from security agents.

Although, the exact amount of money that was carted away was not known as of press time, the Police authority said the “criminals took away small amount since their expectations were cut short.”

Efforts made to reach the bank manager, Isioma Osunbor, was not successful as she did not pick several calls to her mobile set.

Read more: Nigerian Eye