Ogun Government Takes Action As Banks Remain Closed Over Robbery Threat

Barely three weeks after their refusal to open banks due to an acclaimed robbery threat, the Ogun State Government on Wednesday met with bankers in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Sagamu axis of the State.

Cashflows reported earlier that banks in Ijebu axis have since shut down over a letter allegedly sent to some of them by suspected armed robbers.

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The bankers in the area had insisted that they would not resume business unless the state government assisted the police with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to be mounted near the banks.

But, the Ogun State Police Command berated the bankers, accusing them of mischief and falsehood.

The police alleged that the bankers might be conniving with armed robbers to have the banks attacked, threatening that they would be presumed as first suspects in case of any attack on the banks.

As of Wednesday, our correspondent gathered that some of the banks were still under lock and key, while others run skeletal services between 9am to 2pm.

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At a meeting held with senior bank officials, security chiefs and others at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, assured of maximum security.

The Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brigadier-General Adewale Adekoya; State Director, Department of State Services, David Tulsa and the Ogun Acting Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, were also at the meeting; as the Chairman of the Bankers Forum, Olusegun Olusoga, led a delegation of the bankers to the meeting.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, the Governor was said to have assured the forum of his determination to strengthen and fortify the existing security network across the State.

The governor was quoted as having said that the reformed security policies of his administration resulted in “the recent deployment of additional Armoured Personnel Carrier to the State, in addition to the resuscitation of OP Mesa to boost the security architecture of the State.”

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While calling on the bankers to immediately commence banking activities in Ijebu axis of Ogun, Abiodun asserted that banks remain the heart of commerce and his government was committed to providing a conducive environment to aid banks’ daily operations.

The security chiefs were also quoted, in their separate remarks, to have expressed commitment to improved security of lives and property.

Speaking on behalf of the bankers forum, the Chairman, Olusoga commended the State Government for what it called its sustained interaction, calling for an improvement on security apparatus in the Ijebu axis of the state.