A purported security alert yesterday forced banks in Saki, headquarters of Saki West local government area of Oyo State to close early.
The customers, it was gathered, were first told that the banks had network problem, an action which made hundreds of bank customers in the ancient town, to be stranded.
Though officials of the bank refused to comment on the nature of the problem, people who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the early closure was due to security alert.
But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officers of the Oyo State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, denied any knowledge of security threat in the town.
It was also learnt that the customers were told to stay away for some hours while effort was made to ensure adequate security was put in place to forestall any unfortunate incident.
“We came to the bank today only to observe that the gates were locked. When we approached some of the bank officials, we were told that there was no network to process transaction and the gates would be opened after the problem was sorted out,” a customer, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said.
She added, “After some hours, an official of the bank told some of us that there was security alert and that they were waiting for the police to beef up their presence before they attend to customers.”
Oyo Police spokesperson, Ajisebutu, who spoke with Punch, said, “There is no threat to banks in Saki area or anywhere in the state. However, to allay any fear, area commanders, DPOs and patrol officers have embarked on 24-hour constant patrol and surveillance of the areas as well as other parts of the state where banks are located.
“The Commissioner of Police has equally mandated them to fortify the banks and other vulnerable places across the state. Banks and citizens are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses.”
