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| Diamond Bank |
Diamond and Sterling banks, located on Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos State were set ablaze by angry tanker drivers, after a policeman, who shot dead one of their colleagues, ran into Sterling banks in order to escape being lynched.
The policeman was said to have ran into the bank premises after angry mob of tanker drivers attempted to attack him after he shot their colleague.
The tanker drivers’ colleagues were alleged to have not only set the two banks on fire, but also burnt parked vehicles.
The reason behind the shooting is yet unknown, but stories making the rounds differ.
While some people claimed that the policeman shot the tanker driver because he was blocking the road, another set of people claimed that the policeman shot the driver because he allegedly refused to part with N20.
An eye witness, who didn’t want his name to be mentioned, said: “It was a mobile policeman that shot the tanker driver. The policeman is attached to Diamond bank. He shot the driver in front of Diamond bank during a heated argument. The mopol accused the driver of blocking the road. He didn’t want the driver to park in front of the bank. Other trailer drivers, who were at the scene, embarked on a reprisal; they chased the policeman into the premises of Sterling bank and before we knew what was happening, the tanker drivers had set both Diamond and Sterling banks on fire. The policeman ran into Sterling Bank in order to escape being lynched.
“The rest of the trailer drivers mobilised to set the two banks on fire. Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were mobilized, but they couldn’t handle the situation. The nearby Navy personnel were drafted in.”
According to him, no member of staff of both banks was injured in the melee.
Reacting to the incident, Henry Bassey (HB) Chief Marketing Officer, Brand Management & Communications Group explained how the incident started.
His words: “Yesterday, an armed mobile policeman fleeing from an irate mob after shooting a tanker driver disrupted banking operations at the Sterling Bank branch on Creek Road. He ran into the premises of the bank to escape being lynched. Security operatives attached to the bank disarmed and arrested the fleeing mobile policeman but did not hand him over to the irate mob. The mob got upset and attacked the bank with the intention of unleashing mayhem on staff and customers. The branch’s reception area was vandalized and set ablaze.
“The security operatives attached to the branch prevented the mob from entering the branch while evacuating staff and customers before the arrival of police reinforcement. The branch has been temporarily shut down. We wish to inform all our customers that normal services will continue at nearby branches and through all our electronic channels. Sterling Bank is working with security agencies to resolve the issue.”
The Management of Diamond Bank also reacted on the incident and confirmed that there was a fire incident as a result of mob action at its Creek Road, Apapa branch, Lagos.
In a press release made available to correspondents, Head, Corporate Communications, Chioma Afe, said the bank was set ablaze by an angry mob after a policeman shot dead a trailer driver outside the bank premises.
Afe said: “We had a fire incident at our branch office on Creek Road, Apapa which severely damaged branch infrastructure as a result of mob action. While the situation is under control, we are working with the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to investigate actions leading to the fire incident. While these investigations are ongoing, the branch will be closed to customers for their safety and to allow for completion of all repairs. We will continue to provide updates to our customers via our social media platforms and print media. We urge those customers in the Apapa area to use our broad range of alternate delivery channels like the Diamond Mobile app, Diamond Online, Diamond ATMs and Contact Centre to carry out their transactions For those who need to visit a branch location, our closest branches to the Apapa area are situated in Ebute Metta, 1, Market Street,Oyingbo, Opposite Bhojsons Ltd Yaba, Iddo Market Mini, Iddo Ultramodern Market, Surulere, 31, Bode Thomas Street and Amuwo Odofin, Plot Nos 21, 22 and 23 Opposite Abc Transport Terminal are available to process their requests.”
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| Sterling bank |
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirming the incident at Apapa, said that only one person was killed.
According to him, several people, believed to have participated in the burning of the banks have been arrested. He said that some witnesses have started coming forward to identify the arsonists.
His words: “There was a fall out between a police man and a tanker driver. No, it was not over money issue. What we gathered was that the tanker driver parked in front of the Diamond bank. There was a disagreement between the policeman and the tanker driver. There was anger and shooting. The shooting resulted to injuries. The driver was taken to the hospital and was confirmed dead.
“It is because of this incident, that tanker drivers and hoodlums in the area wanted to use the opportunity to enrich themselves. They caused mayhem. Our policemen, being the first respondent, got to the scene and were able to douse the tension and at the same time arrested those that were involved in the mayhem. We’re investigating and have arrested the police officer. He will definitely pay for his crime. We just want to assure members of the public that it’s better for them to call on the police and handover such elements whether within the faults of civilians or the police, to the police instead of resulting to self-help and jungle justice. We have arrested some people and we are looking into the incident. We have eye witnesses coming forward to identify those that were involved.”
