Banks in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun were closed down on Wednesday, due to the robbery attack on a branch of a new generation bank on Tuesday.

Customers who went to the banks to withdraw money were turned back at the entrance by security men attached to the bank when the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited some of the banks.

A gang of armed robbers had on Tuesday, invaded a branch of GTB, located at Ibadan road, carting away undisclosed sums of money.  A NAN Correspondent who visited Ibadan road where most banks are located at about 9:30 a.m., reportd that numerous customers were seen hanging around the bank hoping they would open for business. However, after several hours of waiting, some of the customers who could not wait any longer had to leave.

Security personnel of the banks refused to allow customers use of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) located just inside the premises of one of the banks, insisting that they had been mandated not to open the gate to anyone.

A security guard at one of banks, told NAN on condition of anonymity, that the management of the bank gave order that the bank should not be opened for the day, due to fear of another attack by the robbers.

He added that several factors would determine whether or not the bank would open for business on Thursday. When NAN Correspondent visited the robbed bank, it was observed that ply wood was used to cover the security door that was destroyed by the robbers when they attacked.

Mrs Modele Ibrahim-Modele, a customer who spoke with NAN at the Union Bank Branch located along Ibadan road lamented the closure of the banks.

“The bank should have informed us that they would not be operating today. Now I don’t have any money on me to go to the market for shopping,” she lamented. Reacting to the incident in a telephone interview with NAN, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, assuring members of the public of adequate security.

The PPRO urged the bank managers to open for business, stressing that the command had re-strategised to ensure adequate security for banking business.
“I want to urge the banks’ managements in the town to allow their banks to open for business.

The robbery of Tuesday does not mean economic activities should be paralysed,” he stated. Adejobi appealed to the public to always provide the police with information that would assist them in curbing crime in the town, disclosing that the State Government had promised to provide the police with armoured personnel carrier for effective policing.