Date: 2018-04-15

More residents of major towns in Kwara State have embraced the use of various electronic banking platforms for their financial transactions following the bloody robbery attacks on some banks in Offa town penultimate Thursday.

Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH revealed that many banks have been recording low patronage across the state despite the heavy presence of security operatives within and around their premises.

Although top management staff of banks declined comments when approached by our correspondent in Ilorin, sources among their workers said they now operated with fear and caution.

They explained that their colleagues in the technical departments were working hard to improve the operational efficiencies of their equipment, especially the Close Circuit Television and the Automated Teller Machine.

They also hinted that the management teams of their banks had made with some private security outfits to complement the activities of the police as undercover agents.

Some residents of Offa, Omu-Aran and Ilorin, the state capital, told our correspondent that they decided to embrace electronic banking platforms to reduce their presence in the banking hall.

One of them, who identified himself as Alhaji Kola Mogaji said, "I have decided to visit the bank only when there is a very pressing and important transaction. I have already activated my online banking platform and I have sent messages to my clients to be transferring money to my bank, instead of issuing cheques or providing cash. I will go to the bank only when it is unavoidable."

Another resident, Mrs. Gloria Kunle, said she would henceforth pay her children's school fees through electronic means instead of paying through the cashier inside the banking hall.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has described the robbery attacks on Offa as barbaric and unfortunate, saying no effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A statement by Aregbesola's media aide, Mr. Sola Fasure, on Saturday, explained that Aregbesola stated this during a condolence visit to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Oloyede.

The governor, according to the statement, called on security agencies at various levels to unravel those involved in the incident.

Aregbesola said, "What happened last week was very unfortunate, barbaric, saddening and uncalled for. It was like what happened about 132 years ago in this town. The incident has once again challenged us to tighten our internal security and I am very sure that the perpetrators would not go unpunished."