The Area Commander of the Nigerian Police Force, Delta South, Mr Mu’azu Muhammed, has stated ninety per cent of robberies targeting bank customers in Warri and environs in Delta State have been identified as insiders' job. This was disclosed at a meeting the Area Commander held with bank managers and Chief Security Officers in Warri. As stated by a source at the meeting, Muhammed warned banks to put their houses in order. “At the meeting, it was confirmed that over 90 percent of the incidents people being robbed after leaving the bank are done with insiders’ help. Most of the victims told us that their attackers told them specifically the amount of money they withdraw down to the last kobo. “There was the case when a man withdrew N4million from a popular new generation bank around the Warri metropolis and a few minutes later he was dispossessed before Ogunu Flyover, on his way back to his office. The robbers told him they wanted the N4million he had with him. That cannot be coincidence.” Based on what was gathered, the Area Commander in charge of Delta South has demanded monthly and quarterly meetings with bank managers and CSOs with a view to reviewing the solutions proffered to end the ugly trend. A source stated a CSO blamed the bank managers for their inability to operate properly, disclosing that the security cameras are usually locked up in the offices of the managers who hardly look at them. “Normally, these cameras should assist the security officers do their jobs, but the CSOs complained managers who keep them in their offices barely have time to observe activities in the bank hall. As a result, suspicious characters are not identified and trailed.” It was also gathered that the meeting was told that bank operators use mobile policemen and other security agents attached to their branches for special operations such as escort of bullion, contrary to the demands of their posting. "They do this because they do not want to pay for special escort. The downside is that this lead to lapses that criminals capitalises on to rob customers and the Area Commander has warned them that the security of customers lives, cash and property should not be compromised."
