Six weeks after robbery, Banks fail to commence operations in Offa
NEWS DIGEST – Commercial banks in Offa, Kwara state are yet to open after the reported bank robbery and killings in the town on April 5. Following the incident, all banks’ branches in the town were shutdown indefinitely.
As reported by NEWSDIGEST, the banks affected include Offa branches of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), First Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank and Eco Bank.
In lieu of the indefinite suspension of banking activities, many of the residents have decried the closure of the banks as it affects their transactions.
Speaking with NEWSDIGEST, Mrs Lawal narrated how she had to travel out of the town to correct an error on her Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card in a First Bank’s branch in Ilorin before she was able to withdraw money for the monthly feeding of her family members.
“I forgot the pin of the ATM card but couldn’t rectify it because none of the banks is open,” She said.
Also, Mr. Ibrahim Issa, a pensioner, disclosed that he pays 50naira on every 1.000 naira he withdraws at the retail shop using POS. “If I want to withdraw 30, 000 naira, I used to pay 1,500.” The old man stated.
Meanwhile, a visit to the retail shops where Point OF Sale (POS) machines are used for withdrawals and other services providers like Paga, for transfers, it was gathered that the price varies as some charge exorbitantly than others.
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At Cloud gate office opposite level crossing in Offa, transfers and withdrawals from 2,000 to 5,000 are done for 100naira while at Rotadeco Pharmacy opposite Sanni Aba, every transaction is charged 50 naira on every 1,000 naira.
Adebisi Michael, a mobile data dealer, explained that the shutdown of banks and the influx of these middlemen has not been helpful to his business.
He complained of the high extra charges and the rate at which some of his customers have deserted him. “These banks should better open their offices o.” He proffered.
Futhermore, a company staff, Mr Jeremiah, in a conversation with our journalist, attributed the issue to be the cause of the delay in the wages of their workers recently.
“We have to get to Ilorin before we can withdraw their wages every week, which amounts to over 500,000 Naira.”
“Most of the workers complain of delay in payment.” He added.
However, Speaking with a representative of GT Bank in Lagos, he made it known that the banks will be opened as soon as the security of the town is guaranteed.
The respondent, who identified himself as David assured that ” the re-opening will be very soon.”
It should be recalled that NEWSDIGEST reported the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and more police officers; and the assurance of the Kwara state command to ensure permanence of deployed security operatives.
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