The Ilorin Office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Thursday demanded the intervention of Kwara Government in curtailing the increasing spate of armed attacks on banks in the state.

The Branch Controller, Monday Olotewo, said in Ilorin that a letter had already been sent to the state government. He also said commercial banks were threatening a total shutdown in the state if the situation does not improve.

Banks now close by 2.00 p.m. in Ilorin, the state capital, following armed attacks on some banks in parts of the state.

Mr. Olotewo said that CBN and some bank officials had earlier met with the state Commissioner of Police, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, toward safeguarding the banks and other financial institutions.

He said the meeting with the Police and another one scheduled with the state government was because the banks planned to shutdown their services.

He said recent attacks on banks in Omu Aran and Oro, all in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, is worrisome and demanded joint action.

"A letter has gone to the Governor this morning (Thursday) that we want to meet him and discuss to how improve security around the banks.

"This is definitely affecting the economic fortunes of the state.

"We are not happy that banks in Omu Aran and Oro are not in operation too because that will take its toll on the people there.

"The Police have also said that they have written to the IGP over the matter," Mr. Olotewo said.

The branch controller, however, appealed to the people to bear with the banks, stressing that the banks' limited period of operation was to protect themselves.

About 20 armed robbers had earlier attacked banks in Omu Aran, killing two bank officials, a vigilante and destroyed the police mobile vehicles.

Armed robbers also stormed some banks in Offa, killing some people and carting away millions of naira.

The situation has forced the banks in Offa to close down banking services.

(NAN)