By Dayo Johnson

Akure—BARELY a week after armed robbers invaded Ikare area of Ondo State, robbed five banks and killed 21 persons, another robbery scare led to the closure of banks in Akure, Ondo State capital, yesterday.

News of the alleged arrival of the bandits to attack some banks spread by noon, prompting banks in the city to hurriedly close their offices to customers.

The banks asked customers already in the banking hall to leave, while their security guards prevented anyone from entering.

Speaking with Vanguard in Akure, a banker said: “We do not want what happened in Ikare-Akoko last week to happen to us, so immediately our manager received the information, he ordered us to close for the day, and shortly after, everybody went home.”

The state Police Command responded swiftly to the alleged invasion of robbers by deploying two Armoured Personnel Vehicle, APC, to the area where banks have their offices in Akure.

Customers, who then resorted to Automated Teller Machines, ATM, were turned back by security guards.

Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said the scare was a ruse.

Ogodo added that the command had taken necessary steps to checkmate any invasion by armed robbers.