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Robbery : Banks in Offa begin skeletal services

Some commercial banks in
Offa, Kwara, yesterday began skeletal services after an armed robbery
attack forced them to close shop about six weeks ago.
The attack on the banks had led to the killing of no fewer 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.
Mr Monday Olotewo, the branch Controller of Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) gave the directive on behalf of the forum in Ilorin. He said the
banks in Offa were being re-opened because the community had
shown commitment to curb insecurity in the area.
Olotewo told newsmen that the forum also agreed to lift the
restriction on banking hours in Ilorin.
A visit to the premises of the banks in Offa by newsmen 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 9.a.m.
on Tuesday.
It was gathered 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 told newsmen on condition of
anonymity 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.
Mr Philip Onde, a customer and dealer in electronics, said the closure
impacted negatively on his business. (NAN)