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<\/a><\/p>\n3 December 2011<\/p>\n
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Ilorin \u2014 Banking activities in Offa and Omun-Aran towns in Kwara were paralysed on Friday as the banks in the towns refused to open for business.<\/p>\n
The banks refusal to open for business was caused by widespread fears in the two towns over alleged impending attacks by armed robbers.<\/p>\n
Scores of customers, who went to the banks for transactions, returned home disappointed as they could not make much withdrawals through the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).<\/p>\n
One of the customers, who preferred anonymity, said that none of the customers who intended to make across-the-counter transactions could do so because of the situation.<\/p>\n
The customer appealed to the banks to find a lasting solution to the problem to avoid inflicting “unnecessary hardship” on their customers.<\/p>\n
A manager in one of the banks, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that they decided to shut their doors against customers because of “insufficient security”.<\/p>\n
He said that they had “a terrible spate of robbery incidents in August”, saying there were indications that the bandits might strike again.<\/p>\n
The manager said that the banks would commence operation, once they noticed security improvement in the two towns.<\/p>\n
In his reaction, Mr Dabo Ezekiel, Police Public Relations in the Kwara Police Command, said the command was not aware of the development.<\/p>\n
He said that the manager should have explained what he meant by “insufficient security”, saying “our men are on ground and they are capable of arresting the situation.”<\/p>\n
“To me, it is just a rumour. They should tell their customers the real reason for closing down”, the police spokesman said. (NAN)<\/p>\n
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