BUSINESS
Diamond Bank, Sterling confirm Apapa fire incident
The Management of Diamond Bank and Sterling Bank, in separate statements on Wednesday confirmed that there was a fire incident as a result of Mob action at their Apapa branch in Lagos State.
Diamond Bank, while explaining in a document made available to our correspondent, by the Head, Corporate Communications, Chioma Afe, said the bank was set ablaze by an angry mob after a policeman allegedly shot dead a trailer driver outside the bank premises.
“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.
Afe stated that while investigations are ongoing, the branch will be closed to customers for their safety and to allow for completion of all repairs.
She added: “We will continue to provide updates to our customers via our social media platforms and print media and 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 & 23 Opposite Abc Transport Terminal are available to process their requests”, Afefe stated.
Sterling Bank, however, explained that an armed mobile policeman fleeing from an irate mob after shooting a tanker driver disrupted banking operations at it branch in Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
The lender, in a statement noted that He ran into the premises of the bank to escape being lynched, that 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. Meanwhile, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the situation had been brought to normal by the police.
He also said the killer-policeman had been arrested and the victims had been taken to hospital. “Police officers have restored normalcy to the area and we’ll continue to assure members of the public that they can continue to trust in the police. We have arrested the erring officer and the victims have been taken to hospital for treatment,” the PPRO said.
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