Unidentified gunmen killed 14 people and injured four others in a surprise attack carried out over the weekend at a local bank located in Sululta town of Oromia regional state, about 30 kilometers north of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
“The gunmen killed three employees of the Cooperative Bank of Oromia and 11 members of security forces,” eyewitnesses told APA on Monday.
“Four people survived the attack and thay are currently receiving medical assistance,” they said.
In a statement of condolence issued on Monday, the bank’s Board of Directors and management expressed “profound sadness” over the deaths of Kasahun Hinkosa, Gemechu Tilahun, and Mesay Abera, and extended their “deepest condolences” to families, friends, and colleagues.
According to the statement, the perpetrators were “armed groups,”, noting that a detailed investigation into their identities is underway, and the Oromia police and the bank are following the matter closely.
The bank said the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. near the town of Chancho, as bank employees were transporting cash by car from the Mulo branch to Addis Ababa.
The incident is the latest in a string of armed attacks targeting vehicles, including public transports, traveling through various parts of Oromia regional state.
“Four people survived the attack and are currently receiving medical assistance,” they said. The victims included two drivers and a courier assigned to transport the money.
Although incidents of abduction and killing for ransom are widespread in the region, the armed individuals did not steal the money that was being transported to Addis Ababa, it is learned.
MG/as/APA