Banks close early in Ilorin over fear of robbery attacks

Banks close early in Ilorin over fear of
robbery attacks
on january 01, 2014 at 10:07 am in news
ILORIN — Bank customers in Ilorin, the Kwara
capital, have been going through hassles to transact
businesses as the local branches now close at 2.00
pm over fear of attack by robbers.
According to reports, the development was caused
by a December 19 incident in Offa during which an
estimated 30 robbers stormed some banks killing a
number of people.
The robbers also raided a divisional police station in
the town during the attack which occurred at about
6.00pm.
Consequently, banks in Ilorin close as early as 2.00
pm instead of the usual 4.00 pm, forcing scores of
customers to resort to the use of the Automated
Teller Machines, ATMs.
This has led to long queues at the ATMs as
customers besiege the cash dispensing machines
for transactions.
A member of staff of one the banks, who pleaded
anonymity, confirmed that the banks’ refusal to
open till the usual 4.00 pm was caused by fears of
impending attack.
Some of the customers said the development was
unfortunate.
They called on the Nigeria Police and other security
agencies to rise to the occasion and secure lives
and property.
They urged government at all levels to create jobs
and initiate people-oriented programmes to cater
for the teeming unemployed youths.
The Kwara Police Commissioner, Mr Agboola
Oshodi-Glover, said yesterday that the police were
on top of the situation.
He said the command had deployed its officers and
men to the nooks and crannies of the state to
reduce crime rate to the barest minimum.
He urged the people to go about their businesses
without any fear and cooperate with the police.