Banks shut in Akure over robbery scare

---

Social and commercial activities were temporary paralysed in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday over rumoured planned robbery attacks. 

When the rumour began to spread about 10am, banks and other business concerns hurriedly shut their doors to customers.
There was also heavy presence of security personnel such as soldiers, anti-riot and regular policemen at all the major streets in the town. It was learnt that an official of one of the first generation banks got the information that robbers were planning to attack their bank. He was said to have alerted his boss who informed other banks and the police.
The banks in Alagbaka, the commercial nerve centre of Akure, closed their doors to customers, leaving only those with ATM cards to withdraw money under heavy security watch. The banks on Oyemekun and Arakale roads were also hurriedly locked to prevent being caught unawares. Many customers were disappointed as they could not transact any business, while those already inside the banks were asked to leave go.
Security operatives were patrolling Alagbaka, Oyemekun, Oba Adesida and Arakale roads, where many of the banks are located. Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were also stationed at some strategic locations in the town. A bank official, who spoke with our correspondent, said she was at the counter attending to customers when her manager gave the directive to stop work that robbers were around.
She said: “I was at the counter dealing with the customers when my boss rushed into the banking hall and ordered us to stop work. He also directed the security men to shut the doors and should not allow anybody to come in. “He told us that robbers had entered the town. Initially, we thought they had entered our premises.
Everybody in the bank was running helter-skelter. But we later got to know that the robbers were only rumoured to be in town but not in our bank. So shortly after, we were instructed to go home.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo who confirmed the incident, said patrol teams had been sent to town. He said that the police would not relent in their fight against criminals in the state.http://newtelegraphonline.com/banks-shut-in-akure-over-robbery-scare/