Bank Robbery Attempt Paralyzes Commercial Activities In Ondo
Commercial activities was on Tuesday paralyzed in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State following an attempt by a gang of armed robbers to attack a branch of Wema Bank in the ancient town.
Our correspondent observed that the development led to the closure of all the commercial banks in the town as they reportedly stop operation at about 10.30am on Tuesday.
It was learnt that banks in the four local government areas of Akokoland ended their operations at the same time and sent their customers back home upon hearing the news.
A source in the town told our correspondent that it was the quick arrival of the men of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure that prevented the robbers from attacking banks .
The source narrated that the robbers announced their arrival by shooting into the air at the bank which was directly opposite the palace of the monarch of the town, the Olowo of Owokingdom.
According to him, they were planning to enter and attack the bank before the arrival of the solders.
On getting the information, the soldiers were reported to have rushed down to the area to attack the bandits.
But it was gathered that the robbers quickly fled the area when they learnt that the soldiers were coming to the scene.
The eyewitness also said that the residents of the area bolted for their lives after hearing the gunshots of the robbers while traders and shop owners left their stalls for safety.
A source said, ” All the banks in Ikare Akoko, Irun Akoko, Oka Akoko and all other towns in Akokoland stopped attending to customers at about 10am because they had the information that robbers were attacking banks in Owo.”
A bank official in one of the banks in Ikare Akoko, on condition of anonymity also confirmed the development.
He said ” We have to close for the day at about 11am because after leaving Owo, the robbers may decide to face us in Ikare Akoko, so we have to prevent it, that is why we closed for the day at that time.”
In a swift reaction, the Assistant Director of Public Relations of the Artillery Brigade, Captain Ojo Adelegan said there was no robbery incident in Owo, saying the men of the Brigade, who were on patrol in the town heard of the information, they moved in but did not see any robber.
He said, “When our men heard the information that robbers were in the town, they quickly moved in but on getting to the Wema Bank, they were told that a man in a vehicle fired a shot into the air and ran away but they did not enter the bank.
“There should be no panic anywhere because our men are on ground to ensure adequate protection of our people. Robbery can’t be successful in the town. We shall stop the robbers. “
