Banks shut in Ogun state

Banks in Ijebu Ode and Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State on Monday shut their doors against customers because of fear of armed robbery attacks.

Our source gathered that all the major banks in the towns operated skeletal services for about one hour before they hurriedly closed for the day.



Customers who turned up for transactions were disappointed.

A banker, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that they were only being security- conscious because the festive seasons were around the corner, and armed robbers might be lurking around the corner.

He said, “The Eid-kabir is around the corner. Likewise the Christmas, and these seasons come with their challenges. Men of the underworld also want to celebrate. So they go all out to unleash mayhem on banks or other places they feel they can get money.

“Based on our experience in the past, we do not want to take chances, because the APC usually stationed here had developed mechanical fault and it has been taken away. It is the one in Ago Iwoye that has been alternating between the two towns.”

Our source gathered that this palpable fear also led to closure of banks in Ijebu Igbo, a neighbouring town to Ijebu Ode.

A resident, Mr. Dotun Akinola, who claimed he went to one of a new generation banks in Ijebu Ode to make withdrawals on Monday, said he was disappointed to meet the bank shut

He said, “I was terribly disappointed because I was so broke. I met some other customers at the gate of the bank but we were never allowed in. But I was told that some of the banks opened for business around 1pm when the police brought the APC from Ago Iwoye to Ijebu Ode. But immediately the APC was moved out of the town, the banks quickly shut their doors.”

Most of the banks who had their offices on Ibadan Road did not open for business.

The police spokesman in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said there was always an APC stationed along Ibadan Road, and that there was no cause for alarm.

He said if there was any incidence in Ijebu Igbo, the APC would get there in matter of minutes.

He said no bank close shop for fear of armed robbers attack.