Biola Azeez reports that incessant armed robbery attacks targeted at banks in some sub-urban communities in Kwara State had forced banks to suspend operations in its various towns.

The promise of booming economic activities in some semi-urban towns of Kwara State, particularly with the establishment of branches of new generation banks, building construction sites and the privately-owned Landmark University in Omu Aran, Oro, Oke-Onigbin and Esie, among others, is now being threatened by incessant and persistent bank and high way robberies which have become the order of the day in recent times.
These towns in Kwara South senatorial district lead to neighboring towns in Ekiti, Kogi, and Osun states.

According to residents of these towns, some bad elements, residing in the communities, allegedly aid hoodlums with information on the banks the armed robbers should attack and when, adding that some officials of financial institutions in the towns were also involved in this.

It was gathered from residents in the state that the series of robberies had begun after a major bank robbery had happened some years back, in broad daylight, when a manager of one of Nigeria’s first generation banks was killed and a large sum of money was carted away by the armed robbers, who reportedly operated for close to two and a half hours.

It was also gathered that since that incidence, hoodlums had been ravaging the area, leaving in their trail, sorrow, tears and blood, as it was alleged that the robbers always attacked banks with sophisticated weapons.

The ugly development, it was gathered, had forced almost all the banks in the communities to stop their operation, while many other banks that had planned to establish their branches in the area had to retrace their steps.

Olayiwola Olanrewaju, an indigene of Omu Aran, lamented on the situation, saying that the frequency of armed robbery operations had become very high, adding that many banks had stopped operations for over a month.

Olanrewaju, who said that the hoodlums sometimes wrote management of banks they had targeted to attack of their impending visit, added that any slight rumour of impending attack would create panic, pandemonium and sense of insecurity among the people.

Another resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said law enforcement agents in the area needed to be more upright, adding that many people had lost confidence in them.

He narrated that a notorious and suspected armed robber, who was arrested by the police was later released, adding that the hoodlum now reside in Agbamu outside Omu Aran town, after he was ostracised by the people.

He also said that the efforts of the local vigilance security team were limited, adding that they were ill-equipped to combat the daredevil armed robbers and the types of weapon they wield.

Dr. Samuel Atolagbe, chairman of Omu Aran Micro Finance Bank, said the first bank robbery in the town was in 2004 when he assumed the position, adding that his bank and Union Bank branch located beside it were affected, “even the manager of the bank was killed,” he said.

“Since that time, we have been having repeated attacks on banks in our community. And we took many steps, calling the police, all to no avail, to the extent that even the customers are now afraid to come out to bank again. The managements of the commercial banks from their headquarters are no longer confident, because they’ve been losing large sums of money and people. We have reported to traditional rulers and the government all to no avail.

“The state government even sent one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to be stationed in Omu Aran. Despite that about two weeks ago, while going for a meeting at Oke Onigbin, I received a phone call from associates that I should stop because armed robbery was taking place in Omu Aran. It’s been a persistent thing. We are still thinking of what next step to take.

“The CBN sent an inspection team to the area recently. I mentioned it to them. They told me it’s happening in some other states and that we as bankers should come together and resolve as to what can be done. Honestly, we are desperately in search of a solution to this menace.

“That got me thinking about our policemen. They have a lot of work to do. If they are not efficient enough, the government should empower them.

If their education had not reached that level, they should go for more training. If their budget is deficient, let them get more money. I think it’s very important. If it’s the personality involved, let them put people who will do their job well. I have travelled to many parts of the world. When I travelled to Israel, I commented to a friend that I did not see a single policeman outside yet the security was super. Why not copy countries like that? Even in Britain, police will just be patrolling and the security system is okay.

“There is the need for urgent solution because if there’s no peace and security, people can’t go out, there won’t be business and bankers will not make it, our children will not be employed.  They can also be tempted to do what we do not expect them to do. This is why we think it’s an important issue for all authorities concerned to look into. Government should encourage police to perform their job effectively. Imagine, bank robberies now happen during daylight, not at night”, he said.

Chief Abdulwahab Kasimawo, who resides in Oro, Kwara State, opined that security issue in the country was not the job of government alone.

“It has to be a collective responsibility,” he said. Both the communities and the law enforcement agents have to sit down and map out strategies to curb insecurity. We can’t fold our arms and do nothing for the attacks to continue because it affects everybody.

“Now we have the vigilante. So, I think government should encourage them with provision of ammunition and to make them operate under police supervision and know how to handle weapons, including all legal angles in order not to abuse it.

“It is also the job of the traditional rulers too. They have roles to play. When they see strangers or strange movements, they should report such.

Armed robbers don’t just go to a place without having insider there. In a community, when you see a stranger that does not live with you, you report such people to law enforcement agents and such elements will be invited for interrogation. So, all these little things matter. All hands must be on deck to check the menace.”

Narrating his experience on how they coped with commercial banks declining to operate for fear of being attacked, Chief Kasimawo said it had been quite difficult and inconvenient.

“Honestly, you can’t blame the banks. When the hoodlums write on their impending attack and the banks continue to operate, they will bear the burden of whatever happens. So, law enforcement agents have to live up to expectation with complementary efforts of local vigilance teams.

“When you have money in the bank, you believe the money is safer than to keep it at home. It’s only stupid people that keep money at home. But when you need the money and you want to cash it for an intended purpose but you can’t get it, then you can imagine how you feel. Imagine, your personal money and there is an agreement between banks and customers which says I can collect my money when I need it. But now, you need the money for a purpose but you can’t get it. One will not be happy. But at the same time, you can’t blame them because of the risk. If one is in the bank when these armed robbers are attacking banks, one may be injured with stray bullets.

“So, we go to neighbouring places like Ilorin of about two-hour journey. Thank God the banking system is now okay. But what of the risk of moving with money from Ilorin to OmuAran, Oro or Esie? Taking money from Ilorin to these places too is risky, because of the likelihood of being attacked on the road. It’s not convenient at all,” he said.