Six die in double bank robbery
2008-11-25 09:49
Cotonou - A double bank robbery at a sprawling market in Benin's capital Cotonou left six people dead and another 20 wounded, the country's interior minister told AFP on Monday.
Armand Zinzindohoue said the attack on branches of Ecobank and Diamond Bank took place in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Dantokpa international market in the city centre.
A group of around 10 people armed with assault riffles, arrived at the market, which runs along the banks of a lagoon, in two groups: one by boat and the other by car, he added.
After blowing up several safes - and after a three-hour gun battle with the army - they eventually fled.
The robbers got away with about $7.9m in CFA francs.
The head of the local police told AFP that several people were being questioned and they expected to make more arrests.
Police suspected the robbers had come from a neighbouring country, he added.
Benin President Boni Yayi ordered the closure of the two banks following the armed robbery.
A similar attack was carried out at the market last April.