Banks close early in Ilorin over fear of robbery attacks

ILORIN — Bank customers in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, have been going through hassles to transact businesses as the local branches now close at 2.00 pm over fear of attack by robbers.

According to reports, the development was caused by a December 19 incident in Offa during which an estimated 30 robbers stormed some banks killing a number of people.

The robbers also raided a divisional police station in the town during the attack which occurred at about 6.00pm.

Consequently, banks in Ilorin close as early as 2.00 pm instead of the usual 4.00 pm, forcing scores of customers to resort to the use of the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs.

This has led to long queues at the ATMs as customers besiege the cash dispensing machines for transactions.

A member of staff of one the banks, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the banks’ refusal to open till the usual 4.00 pm was caused by fears of impending attack.

Some of the customers said the development was unfortunate.

They called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to rise to the occasion and secure lives and property.

They urged government at all levels to create jobs and initiate people-oriented programmes to cater for the teeming unemployed youths.

The Kwara Police Commissioner, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover, said yesterday that the police were on top of the situation.

He said the command had deployed its officers and men to the nooks and crannies of the state to reduce crime rate to the barest minimum.

He urged the people to go about their businesses without any fear and cooperate with the police.