Robbery scare : Ondo banks shut down, customers lament

The commercial banks in the four local governments in Akoko area of Ondo State were under lock and key on Wednesday while banking transactions did not take place in the entire area.

It was gathered that in the four council areas- the Akoko North East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West Local Government Areas, the banks were turning back their customers following the instructions not to operate.

It was also gathered the development was not unconnected with the information that armed robbers were planning to attack the banks.

A bank official who craved anonymity disclosed that there was a signal and security alerts that armed robbers were planning to attack banks in the area hence the directive to close down.

He said, " Initially we hoped to start operation for the day but suddenly, security information reached us that the bandits were around, so we did not want to take the risk, that is why we decided to shut down.

" It has happened before that the robbers attacked us and we don't want to experience it again. So maybe if the coast is clear tomorrow (Thursday), we will open. But we will load the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) with money, so customers can go and withdraw money. People should bear with us."

To this end, some of the customers in the area, particularly those that wanted to deposit money expressed their disappointment over the development, saying it had affected their businesses negatively.

A customer, who identified himself as Michael Bello appealed to the security agents to beef up security in the area as the year was running to an end.

" It was unfortunate that this is happening in this area but we have to appeal to the government and the security agencies to be up and doing in the area of security of lives and property in Akoko land," he stated.

In a reaction, the Police Area Commander for Ikare Akoko, the Assistant Commissioner of Police Razak Rauf, who confirmed the incident, said his men were not relenting on their efforts to save lives and property.

He said the police team was already patrolling all the major roads in the four local government areas while the surveillance team was also on the ground.