Armed robbery scare: Banks suspend operations in Ibadan
…As panic grips residents
From AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan
Thursday, December 4, 2008


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The incessant armed robbery operations in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, reached a head on Wednesday as commercial banks in the city suspended their operations.

But the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Basiru Azeez, insisted that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure security of lives and property, saying there was no cause for panic.

Said the police boss: “We did not ask them to close down. We have told them we have provided enough security. There is no reason for this panic. We have mobilized enough men to the field. We even withdrew some people from other places to the town to beef up security. We are on top of the situation. I will call them (banks) to another meeting tomorrow,” the police boss stated.

As early as 7a.m on Wednesday, vehicles belonging to the quick response unit of the state police command were stationed at strategic places in the city, while under cover agents were dispersed to the metropolis.

One of the under cover agents confided in Daily Sun that there was unconfirmed report that a bandit of armed robbers wrote two first generation banks located at the popular Mokola junction that they should be prepared to receive them soonest.
But a senior police officer dismissed the report, describing it as “mere rumour aimed at heating up the polity.”

Banks that opened for operations early enough suddenly closed their doors around 9a.m. over alleged security reports that the men of the underworld had arrived the city. From the Central Business District of Dugbe to the gate of the premier University of Ibadan (UI), to the popular Iwo Road, Oke Ado and Mokola area, bank customers were seen stranded at the premises of the banks. Some banks’ security personnel allowed customers with Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards to use their cards, while other banks did not.

There has been panic across the state capital, Ibadan, a fallout of last week’s bank robbery during which four policemen and two civilians were killed and about 20 injured by the gang of 40 armed robbers that stormed the city.

Last Tuesday, the neighbourhood of the University College Hospital (UCH) and Bodija were thrown into panic over unconfirmed report that some armed robbers were operating at UCH. It was later discovered that some area boys, who wanted to foment trouble, were the ones rounded up by police at an open space in front of the UCH.

Reacting to the pervading insecurity in the state, the main opposition party in Oyo state, the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), advised the state governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, to re-prioritize the policy thrust of his administration, urging him “to cut down his money-gulping frolics and invest in security.”
In a release signed by Hon Sola Osotoye, General Secretary of the party, the opposition party called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to ask Akala on what he had been spending his security votes that run into millions on.

“Instead of shedding crocodile tears at the graves of scores of innocent people that have so far been killed, the governor should come to the quick assistance of the police. At least for now, the police are in dire need of Armoured Personnel Carriers, bullet proof vets, walkie talkies and other logistics and these are within the reach of the state if the governor places his priority rightly,” the statement read in part.
However, Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications, Prince Dotun Oyelade, advised the ANPP not to cry wolf where there was none, saying the governor had never rested on his oars in regard to the security of the state.

Oyelade stated that the governor had contributed more to security than any of his predecessors in the state apart from the fact that he was in constant touch with the Presidency over the security of the state.
“That President Umaru Yar’Adua mentioned Oyo State in his budget speech on Tuesday as one of the states to benefit from increased security votes next year is an indication of Gov. Akala’s efforts in this regard. The ANPP should not attempt to foist panic when government is making genuine efforts to curb crime,” Oyelade stated.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/dec/04/national-04-12-2008-003.htm

how did this greed and lawlessness get to this?

hehehe very funy

fdigital:

hehehe very funy

i dont find this funny. bring back capital punishment and these cowards will see sence

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