By DAYO JOHNSON
AKURE—It was the turn of Akure, the capital of Ondo State yesterday as robbery scare made all the banks in the city to hurriedly close shop. Almost all key cities of the South-West, including Ibadan and Abeokuta have had their share of armed banditry challenge.

Customers were stranded across the state capital as they were turned back by security operatives in the banks.

Report that hoodlums were operating in Idanre sent jilters to other banks and subsequently they shut their doors to customers.

This came as the state government set to inaugurate three out of the five Personnel Armoured Carries PAC purchased to combat crime in the state.

Last week about 15 robbers robbed one of the new generation banks killing four persons including the security man attached to the bank.

The scare coincided with a statement by the state government that three APC have been procured.

Investigation by Vanguard revealed that immediately report reached the banks in the state capital they phoned each other and closed their doors.

But police sources said the security in the state is so tight that it would be impossible for robbers to operate.

Police Image Maker Adeniran Aremu said the report of robbery was a ruse and that the banks were acting on rumour.

It will be recalled that the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade said the governor would order the deployment of the vehicles in strategic locations especially the Business Districts in Akure and other major towns in the state, after commissioning.

Akinmade assured residents of the state that the arrival of the equipment and other logistics extended by government to various security agencies in the state would henceforth make Ondo, a no-go-area for armed robbers.

He also urged members of the public not to involve themselves in any form of rumour that could cause panic.

The Commissioner urged management of banks in the state to carry out their legitimate duties without any form of fear as the state was fully on top of security situation throughout the yuletide period and beyond.