Banks in Auchi area in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo have vowed to remain closed until the incessant robberies in the area are curtailed.
The Chairman of the Auchi Branch of the Bankers Forum, Mr. Bash Sanusi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Auchi after a meeting of the forum.
He said the meeting was held following Monday night's attack on two banks in the area by armed robbers.
Sanusi added, "Having appraised the security situation in the area, we have decided not to open our doors to customers for now until there is an improvement on security in the area."
He lauded the efforts made by the police during Monday raid, but said banks in the area were not getting commensurate support from the police in terms of security.
He added, "Apart from other sundry payments by banks in the area to the police, we are also responsible for buying fuel for the Armoured Personnel Carrier. We also recently bought two new tyres for the APC.
"We are not saying they are not trying at all, but we know that more can be done to ensure security in the area."
The Auchi Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, Mr. Gabriel Haruna, condemned the decision of the Bankers' Forum to shut their doors against customers.
"It is not funny that after all what we have been doing, the banks seem not appreciating," he said.
The Punch