By DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—

— Managers of banks operating in Ogun State gave the state government, a 30-day ultimatum to combat incessant armed robbery attacks on banks, which has cost them millions of naira .

A source in Oke-Mosan governor’s office told Vanguard in confidence that, it was at a closed door meeting between the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun and the bank managers that the bankers threatened to suspend their services in the state, if the situation persists by the end of this year.

The governor, according to the findings, promised to ensure that security of lives and property is improved soon before the expiration of the ultimatum.

Governor Amosun, who confirmed that the meeting held in his office told the gathering at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, yesterday, during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the government and Bank of Industry, BOI, on possibility of obtaining a N1 billion loan facility, said he arrived late due to the meeting he held with the banks managers.

Amosun, who hinted that the meeting was unscheduled, saaid that, he was about leaving his office for the workshop when the managers of all the banks in the state, arrived his office in Oke-Mosan and held a closed door meeting with him, following the constant attacks on banks in the state.

He said that, the mission of the managers boiled down to what he described as challenges facing them in the state, promising to ensure he fights the menace with provision of employment through collaboration with companies.

Meantime, palpable fear enveloped Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday, following the news of presence of armed robbers in the ancient city, which led to the prompt closure of all the banks in the city.

Shortly before the governor arrived June 12 Cultural Centre for the programme, there were speculations that robbers have invaded many banks in Abeokuta, leading to anxiety by depositors .

Many of the depositors that besieged some banks for transaction were locked-out, immediately the news filtered into the town that, the robbers were on their way to Abeokuta, to unleash terror on the people.

The Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkedeme who spoke with Vanguard on phone on the matter, described it as speculation, saying, there was nothing like robbery or presence of armed robbers in the state.

Governor Amosun, while reacting to the issue of insecurity in the state, disclosed that, he was not only going to fight criminals with Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, but also with provision of employment to the people.

According to Amosun, the N1bilion loan scheme was facilitated by both the state government and Bank of Industry, BOI, to empower one thousand people with a view to reduce poverty and create an enabling environment.