IJEBU-ODE 'NOTICE OF ATTACK' FROM ROBBERS: Ogun Govt Assures Commercial Banks of Adequate Security

Abeokuta: By Sina ODUNTAN

Published, Thursday, October 7, 2021

FOLLOWING A 'NOTICE OF ATTACK' purported to have been sent to residents of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, Nigeria, by armed robbers, the Ogun State Government has assured commercials banks of adequate security, especially those in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Sagamu Local Government Areas.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, made the assurance at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, yesterday, in a stakeholder’s meeting with bankers, security chiefs and others.

The governor said his government had put in place improved strategies to make the State safer, particularly around banking cluster areas.

Commercial banks were forced to close business in Ijebu-Ode about two weeks ago owing to a letter purportedly written by armed robbers to carry out robbery attacks on the banks.

The banks have refused to open to public sine then because they believed that government could not guarantee security of lives and properties in Ijebu-Ode and its adjoining towns as  bank robbery has become new norm in the areas. 

Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, stated that bank officials and customers should go about their normal activities without any apprehension, saying necessary support had been given to security agencies including the Nigerian Army to foil and combat crimes in the State.

"I want to assure our bankers, most especially from the Ijebu and Remo axises, of the government’s commitment to provide adequate security for banks to enable them to  open full operations, because banks remain the heart of commerce in any State. We are confident that they can go about their businesses without any fear or apprehension," he assured

In their separate remarks, the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barrack, Abeokuta, Brigadier General, Adewale Adekoya, State Director, Department of State Services, Mr. David Tulsa and Acting Commissioner of Police, Ogun Command, DCP Abiodun Alamutu said they have the constitutional roles to aid civil authority in the provision of security, thus pledging their cooperation to discharge their duties accordingly.

In his remark, the Chairman Banker’s Forum, Mr. Olusegun Olusoga appreciated the government for responding to their request by beefing up security along the axis.

Earlier in his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (Rtd), hinted that the meeting was conveyed to look into security issues in Ijebu axis and the safety of the banks, staff and the people in that area.

Thedispatch gathered that the bankers, who halfheartedly took the government promise, also requested from the State government personal security coverage for the bank managers about Ogun east area.