Robbery: Offa banks commence skeletal services

    
Some commercial banks in Offa, Kwara, on Tuesday began skeletal services after an armed robbery attack had forced them to close shop about six weeks ago.

The attack on the banks had led to the killing of no fewer than 10 people while an unspecified amount of money was carted away by the robbers.

The Offa branch of the Kwara Bankers Forum had on Jan. 27 directed the banks to reopen for business.

The Branch Controller of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Monday Olotewo, gave the directive on behalf of the forum in Ilorin.

He said that the banks in Offa were being re-opened because the community had shown commitment to curb insecurity in the area.

A visit to the premises of the banks in Offa on Tuesday revealed a partial compliance with the directive as only few of the banks were offering skeletal services.

Some of the commercial banks located at Owode market and Taiwo road in the town were seen attending to customers as early as 9am on Tuesday.

Investigation also revealed that many of the buildings belonging to banks affected by the robbery incident were yet to be renovated.

A manager in one of the banks who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that he was still expecting an official directive for the bank to start full business transactions.

“We are still expecting an official communication from our headquarters to enable us begin full transactions because the initial directive to close down actually emanated from them in the first place,” the source said.

“We are only appealing to the banks to start full business transaction in view of the commitment shown by the people of the community,” he said.