Nigeria: Imo Police Back Planned Phase-Out of Automated Teller Machines

Chidi Nkwopara

2 April 2010

Owerri — Imo State Police Command has described the plan to phase out Automated Teller Machines, ATM, in public places as "a most welcome development."

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aloysius Okorie, who stated this during an interview in his office, however, expressed delight that his Command had not recorded much crime related to ATM fraud.

He was of the opinion that the move had become necessary in view of the sordid activities of armed robbers, who trail customers from ATM points and dispossess them of their money.

The Imo police boss regretted the abuse and misuse of the internet technology and computer by fraudsters, adding that ATM ought to have been one facility that should have helped in making life and living easier. Some respondents, who spoke to Vanguard, expressed different views on the use of ATM cards and the associated crime prevalent in society today. One of the respondents, who simply identified herself as Chinenye, said that although she has an ATM card, she has never been a victim of ATM fraud.

A lady (names withheld), who works in Government House, Owerri, was not so lucky because the entire content of her family's savings was criminally withdrawn from their account through ATM fraud.

"One thing we must all bear in mind is that ATM and internet fraud are real. There is also every need to ensure that they do not escalate in Imo State," the female victim said.

Kai!!! UNBEWEAVABLE!!!

One more reason why we need State Police. Or even local government and city police.

Onlytruth:

One more reason why we need State Police. Or even local government and city police.

Are you kidding me?State police to work in the banks? They teach ATM security at the police academy?

Owerri people are the most cowardly set of Nigerians.Always intimidated by police and thief.

LOL ok dude.
I guess everyone outside of owerri aren't afraid of theives and police.

Nigerians once again will blame this on the government and not the nigerian civilians that have been robbing people even though its the government trying to stop this practice

the safety of nigerian people > Atm machines.

so if we can ensure greater safety, lets get rid of them.

Ikengawo:

Nigerians once again will blame this on the government and not the nigerian civilians that have been robbing people even though its the government trying to stop this practice

the safety of nigerian people > Atm machines.

so if we can ensure greater safety, lets get rid of them.

So the ATM is to blame and not on the governments failure to provide adequate security in state and create job opportunities that will help to prevent youths from engaging in these acts. If the rest of the world thought like you and the imo state govt. I don't think there would be any kind of progress. So will you ban cars just because people have accidents in them. How is Imo state banning ATM when Lagos state has not even done so even though there is much greater chance of crime there? Once in a while you should travel out to maybe Abuja or Lagos to see things there.

trueword:

So the ATM is to blame and not on the governments failure to provide adequate security in state and create job opportunities that will help to prevent youths from engaging in these acts. If the rest of the world thought like you and the imo state govt. I don't think there would be any kind of progress. So will you ban cars just because people have accidents in them. How is Imo state banning ATM when Lagos state has not even done so even though there is much greater chance of crime there? Once in a while you should travel out to maybe Abuja or Lagos to see things there.

So the ATM is to blame and not on the governments failure to provide adequate security in state and create job opportunities that will help to prevent youths from engaging in these acts. If the rest of the world thought like you and the imo state govt. I don't think there would be any kind of progress. So will you ban cars just because people have accidents in them. How is Imo state banning ATM when Lagos state has not even done so even though there is much greater chance of crime there? Once in a while you should travel out to maybe Abuja or Lagos to see things there.

GOVERNMENTS ARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING JOBS
this is capitalism not communism. You think ATM machines is 'progress' because you see white ppl using them. its just one of many means to get cash, but many other means still exist and have existed that don't leave a trail of robbery.

there's is robbery pandemic in the east and im glad he's taking measures to curb it and because its a unique case im glad these measures are unique.
You can't say he's not doing anything to curb the crime and increase security when we are both arguing about a specific measure he took to curb crime and increase security. you can say you disagree with it, but you can't say it's not being done. There's a corruption in the culture in nigeria that sees fast money as the only type of money, and this is why there is so much orbbery (coupled with the HUGE youth population). The population and culture are 2 things that Ohakim can't control and doesn't have the mandate to control, it will take civilians to make a change in that department, all he can to is solve the porblems he has authoirty over such as the ATM situation.

So this is where your job topic came from 

Well, we can step back into the middle ages where the rest of our brethen are because the government knows how to collect money, but doesnt know how to organize the people and protect them. That would be progress indeed. We can start putting our cash under mattresses where the thieves can come and get it directly.

By retrogressively phasing out ATMs, Ohakim is simply telling thieves to look in other places, like the many other means you mentioned. It does not solve the crime problem.

Ikengawo:

GOVERNMENTS ARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING JOBS
this is capitalism not communism. You think ATM machines is 'progress' because you see white ppl using them. its just one of many means to get cash, but many other means still exist and have existed that don't leave a trail of robbery.

there's is robbery pandemic in the east and im glad he's taking measures to curb it and because its a unique case im glad these measures are unique.
You can't say he's not doing anything to curb the crime and increase security when we are both arguing about a specific measure he took to curb crime and increase security. you can say you disagree with it, but you can't say it's not being done. There's a corruption in the culture in nigeria that sees fast money as the only type of money, and this is why there is so much orbbery (coupled with the HUGE youth population). The population and culture are 2 things that Ohakim can't control and doesn't have the mandate to control, it will take civilians to make a change in that department, all he can to is solve the porblems he has authoirty over such as the ATM situation.

hollandis:

Owerri people are the most cowardly set of Nigerians.Always intimidated by police and thief.

Are they ?

You know this guy, the more you spew out this junk, the more I think you better start making your presence felt more in the Jokes/Cartoons section of Nairaland.

frosbel:

Are they ?

You know this guy, the more you spew out this junk, the more I think you better start making your presence felt more in the Jokes/Cartoons section of Nairaland.

Ignoramus ,have you finished doing school runs for your neighbors children?

hollandis:

Ignoramus ,have you finished doing school runs for your neighbors children?

lol, .

You are insulting we Owerri people, the owners of Imo state.

We are not corwards but warriors.

Owerri was the last battle front for Biafra and the Nigerian army encountered some of the fiercest resistance throughout the war.

In fact in my garden back home we still from time to time pick up bullets and not long ago a bomb was detonated near the house.

frosbel:

lol, .



Owerri was the last battle front for Biafra and the Nigerian army encountered some of the fiercest resistance throughout the war.

That was then!!!!!!Owerri is something else now.Seeing is believing

Ikengawo:

GOVERNMENTS ARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING JOBS
this is capitalism not communism. You think ATM machines is 'progress' because you see white ppl using them. its just one of many means to get cash, but many other means still exist and have existed that don't leave a trail of robbery.

there's is robbery pandemic in the east and im glad he's taking measures to curb it and because its a unique case im glad these measures are unique.
You can't say he's not doing anything to curb the crime and increase security when we are both arguing about a specific measure he took to curb crime and increase security. you can say you disagree with it, but you can't say it's not being done. There's a corruption in the culture in nigeria that sees fast money as the only type of money, and this is why there is so much orbbery (coupled with the HUGE youth population). The population and culture are 2 things that Ohakim can't control and doesn't have the mandate to control, it will take civilians to make a change in that department, all he can to is solve the porblems he has authoirty over such as the ATM situation.

Governments do create jobs. They are called "Government Jobs". He could also create jobs by taking actions that help to spur the growth of the private sector. There are many idle hands in imo state and the rest of nigeria. Instead of laundering money Ohakim should have been out with a team trying to attract private investment in the state that would end up hiring people and having a multiplier effect on economy. For example, they could have developed that Oguta lake into a large resort that could begin to attract some tourism to the state.

He could be building roads and creating a state agency that is responsible for cleaning and maintaining roads, which creates direct employment. There a a host of construction projects that could be done in Imo that would need the hands of people, but instead of efficiently using funds and actually trying to move the state forward he and govt officals are looting money. What he lacks is vision.

he could employ a similar strategy that fashola is doing in Lagos to establish RRS to improve security.

Ikengawo, (Dumber)

So you still believe Governments are not responsible for creating jobs and reducing unemployment?

The Government has a responsibility to reduce unemployment and manage the economy.

Its not just about stealing for your imediate and then extended family.

The Government is responsible for managing the economy - High unemployment is a sign of failed government policies.

When they fail to carry out their duties civil unrest always follows and people call for change.

The Government is meant to be elected by civilians to serve the public's interest - Which includes job creation.

They are meant to provide an environment which encourages foreign investment - this wont happen unless they provide basic infrastructure such as electricity and good roads.

Going back to the original topic, the withdrawal of ATM's around Nigeria is a backward step in terms of efficiency and productivity within the banking sector.

Technology is meant to be used to make organisations more productive as well as make things easier for people.

Any politician that doesn't feel he has a duty to the public should not be there.

hollandis:

That was then!!!!!!Owerri is something else now.Seeing is believing

I was in Owerri easter last year. it looked good to me.

Did not have one incident of armed robbery despite moving around town and visiting quite a lot.

If anything, I was impressed with the rate of development especially with the proposed Oak Refinery Project in Imo State. Things can only get better.