The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been deplored to Auchi, Edo to curb the incessant bank robbery in the area.
The deployment was as a result of an agreement between the banks and the authorities for the banks to open for business after a week of closure.
It will be recalled that there has been incessant attack on banks in the area by armed robbers, the latest of which was that of April 9, when robbers attacked bullion vans in the area.
The attack had led to the Edo branch of the Bankers Forum to order banks to close their doors against costumers until the security situation in the area was addressed.
The banks, however, agreed to reopen for business on Monday with strong a condition.
Mr Bash Sanusi, Chairman, Auchi branch of the forum told NAN Tuesday in Auchi that the decision to re-open for business was arrived at after a meeting of the forum on Monday.
He said that at the meeting, a communiqué, which would be distributed to all security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police and the state government was issued.
He said that in the communiqué, the banks had decided to close their branches indefinitely should there be any attack on banks in the area again.
Sanusi said that the banks had also requested for more Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and the deployment of more men of the Joint Military Force (JTF) to the area.
He said that the communiqué called for an effective, coordinated and joint patrol of the area by the JTF, vigilance groups and other security agencies in the area.
According to him, having carefully considered the plight of the people, who now travel as far as Benin for their bank transactions, we have decided to open our doors to customers.
Sanusi said, “But, this is with a condition, which we hope will be respected by the concerned authorities.
“We requested for at least, two additional APCs that would be mounted at strategic locations in the area. One out of the two APCs presently servicing the area is obsolete and needs to be replaced.
“We have also discovered that officers of the JTF deplored in the area are inadequate, so we have requested for more of them.”
Meanwhile, Mr Gabriel Haruna, Auchi Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, who confirmed the deployment of the SARS to the area, explained that the squad was there not because of incessant bank robbery alone.
“I can reliable tell you that, SARS came into town on Monday, but it should be noted that it is here to assist in curbing crimes in the area and not bank robbery alone as reported,'' he said. (NAN)