Armed bandits yesterday, stormed the Allen-Ikeja, Lagos branch of a second generation bank, leaving in their trail several persons with gunshot wounds. The robbers said to have posed as customers, stormed the bank at noon. They reportedly held the private guard at the entrance hostage, thereby forcing him to demobilise the security at the door with a view to facilitating their passage. Reports said the scuffle at the entrance alerted customers and the bank staff inside, consequent upon which the alarm was raised. The bandits in a commando-like manner, reportedly shot sporadically as they ordered every-one to lie flat on the ground and thereafter demanded for the bank’s vault. But the blaring siren of a Police patrol team reportedly prevented them from gaining access as they were said to have hurriedly made away with several wads of naira notes from the cashiers' counter and also from customers. Contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Jinadu said he was not aware of the incident, promising to contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.