Banks Closed in Ondo Over Boko Haram Threat

Following the purported letter allegedly sent by Boko Haram insurgents to the Ondo state Police Command, banks in Akoko area for the second day running were under lock and key due to alleged threat.

Many customers particularly those who have weekend engagements were disappointed for not having access to cash.

They flooded the banks but met empty premises.

It was a lamentation galore as some of them, who had no option rushed to Akure spending about N3,000 as transport fare to Akure and returned to Akoko.

Speaking on the development, a woman leader and the Iyalaje of Ikare, Alhaja Risikat Mohammed noted that banks closure had negative impact on socio economic activities of the people of Akokoland.

Another person who was affected by the banks closure was Alhaji Jamiu Arowosegbe who said he had weekend engagement, but was surprising that banks refused to open for customers.

Both Iyalaje of Ikare,Alhaja Risikat Mohamed and Alhaja Jamiu Arowosegbe urged people to bear with the banks.

Police vehicle patrol vehicles and other security agents were seen at strategic places in Ikare-Akoko mounting surveillance on movement of the people.

Efforts to speak with Ikare Police Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Rauf Razak and the Divisional Police Officer in Ikare, CSP Chika Udeh to comment on the development was not possible as at the press time.

In Akure, the state capital, there was no tension, banks opened at the usual 8.00 am,the only problem was that there was no network to operate.

Customers in some banks waited till around 1pm before they could receive cash or deposited.

But the police spokesman in the state,Femi Joseph maintained that such letter was not in their kitty.

He said” The command is not aware of such letter to the effect of planned attack by Boko Haram or any other group.

Joseph said men of the command are however at alert anytime, day or night to curtail any unwholesome occurrences especially during this ember months.

There was a letter purportedly sent to the Commissioner of Police,Undie Adie by a security agency.The letter was widely circulated on the social media.

It dated October 29, with the heading” Planned robbery attacks on some commercial banks in the state by suspected Boko Haram.

The state government through the Senior Special Assistant(SSA) to the governor,Ojo Oyewamide said the state would not be conducive for criminals to carry out their activities. Therefore,they should not entertain any form of fear or anxiety.The security agents in the state are up to the task.

“The operation” Amotekun” will soon commence operation in all southwest states,and it will be foolhardy of any group of criminals to imagine Boko Haram can successfully launch an attack I’m any part of the region”.