Date: 2013-03-16

Commercial banks in Omu-Aran, Kwara, reopened for business on Friday, March 15 after 38 days of closure to customers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The banks shut their doors to customers 38 days ago following a text message received by a bank manager that a gang of robbers planned to invade banks in the town.

NAN learnt that the banks reopened for business following arrest of robbery suspect at Ayedun, a nearby community.

The suspect was alleged to specialise in terrorising residents through text messages of impending robbery attacks.

Mr Razak Adebayo, the Divisional Police Officer in Omu-Aran,  confirmed that the suspect had been transferred to the Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin for further investigation.

Adebayo said the command had evolved effective strategies to stop further threat to security in the area.

He urged the residents to go about their normal businesses and shun any act capable of disrupting the peace in the town.

The reopening of the banks excited the residents who trooped to the banks as early as 8.30 am.

Mr Bidemi Olawuyi, the Secretary, Omu-Aran Development Association, lauded the Police and management of the banks for reopening to customers.

Olawuyi said the reopening had eased tension generated by the closure of the banks.

Mr Emmanuel Ilesanmi, the PHCN Business Manager in Omu-Aran, described the re-opening as a welcome development because it would give opportunity to consumers to pay their bills promptly.

Mr Ikechukwu Nwosu, a spare-part dealer, said that the closure almost ruined his business.

Nwosu said that he could not lodge money in his bank account at Omu-Aran and pick the money in Lagos while the strike lasted.

NAN reports that most of the banks, located on Aperan Way, had remained closed since Feb. 5.