Ondo: Banks in Akoko Close Shops over Robbery Scare

Sequel to last Monday robbery of First Bank at Idoani in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, banks in the neighbouring  Akoko area of the state on Tuesday locked their gates against customers who came to transact businesses.

The banks, it was gathered, took the decision due to apprehension resulting from the calamities that befell their colleagues last Monday at Idoani.

During the robbery at Idoani, six persons, including the Vice Principal of Idoani Grammar School, Mr. David Oloro; a police inspector and four others were killed by the robbers who attacked the only bank in the town.

The refusal of the bank to open for operation left many customers disappointed and frustrated.

According to a trader, “We just got to this bank; almost four banks in this area in Ikare are closed without any explanation from the authorities to customers. No transaction is going on in all the banks now."

Another customer who came from Akunnu Akoko to Ikare to carry out bank transactions, Mr. Micheal Bello, also expressed disappointment that no bank was operating in the town as at the time he got to the area.

He therefore called on security agents to beef up operations in the area to prevent another robbery attack.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has called on security agencies in the state to go after the armed robbers who carried out the bank robbery in Idoani community.

Though a suspect was arrested after the operation, a source told journalists that four other persons had also been arrested in connection with the incident.

Akeredolu charged the security agencies when he paid a condolence visit to Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, at his palace which is a stone throw to the fateful bank.

Represented by his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the governor described the incident as unfortunate, imploring security agents to fish out those who perpetrated the attack.

"We are glad that a suspect had been nabbed, and I am very sure he will create a channel that will lead to the arrest of other criminals," he said.

Akeredolu charged residents of the state to always assist the security operatives by providing useful information to help reduce crime in the state.

Olutoye said the criminals also came into his compound, damaged his door and by the time they gained entrance, they discovered it was a fruitless effort.

He appealed to the state government to assist the bereaved to lessen the burden the incident had caused them.