Metro

Ondo Gov Poll: Customers Blame Parties As Banks Run Out Of Cash

Published

8 months ago

November 11, 2024

In less than a week to the Ondo State governorship election, residents are feeling the pinch of severe cash shortages in commercial banks across the state.

The PUNCH gathered that politicians from the major political parties had been making large withdrawals from banks and stockpiling cash to buy votes.

It was learnt that customers who wanted to withdraw money over the counter were given less than what they requested because of the unavailability of cash in commercial banks across the state.

A source in a new generation bank disclosed that the politicians had been withdrawing millions of naira from banks in the last one week.

They were alleged to be colluding with bank managers to make the withdrawal easy.

The source said, “In the past few weeks, there has been a high flow of cash in the state because politicians, particularly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have colluded with bank managers to withdraw huge amounts of money daily. When the politicians ‘settle’ the bankers, they permit them to withdraw as much as they want. I can tell you authoritatively that the politicians are withdrawing millions of naira in cash from the banks, with the assistance of the managers.

“That is why we don’t have much cash to give customers. If you go to banks now, little cash is available in all their branches across the state. They are withdrawing money for their logistics in the campaigns and also keeping the money to buy votes on election day.”

Some bank customers, who spoke to our correspondent, said they had been finding it difficult to withdraw money across the counter.

While blaming politicians, the residents stated that the bankers informed them that they had little cash available in their branches.

A customer, who identified himself as Tunde, said he was disappointed to reach one of the commercial banks in Akure on Thursday only to be informed that he could not withdraw more than N10,000 from the counter.

He added that the bankers advised him to go out and withdraw from the Point-of-Sale machines outside.

“I was surprised that when I got to my bank on Thursday to withdraw N50,000, the man at the counter told me that cash was not available and that they couldn’t give me more than N2,000 cash. I was angry and I asked him the reason; they told me they didn’t get much cash from the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria),” the customer lamented.

Another bank customer told The PUNCH that it had been a problem getting cash from the banks in Ondo State.

He said he was given the sum of N10,000 from his bank recently when he wanted to withdraw N30,000. Later, he was asked to go and use PoS for the remaining.

“I use one of the new generation banks. I got there to withdraw N30,000 cash to settle some bills but I was told I could only be given N10,000 as the highest I could withdraw from the counter. I asked the reason for this, but the only answer I got was little cash was available in the branch for customers,” he added.

A manager of one of the branches of a commercial bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.

He said little cash was left in the banks for customers to withdraw after politicians mopped up huge amounts of money from the banks.

The source said, “As a matter of fact, even before now, the amount of money in circulation is very low generally, not only in Ondo State, but there is a way we adequately manage the available money given to us. That is not known to the public. For instance, the CBN in Akure has mandated all the banks in its domain that you cannot withdraw (from the CBN) more than twice within two weeks, unlike before that we will go there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to withdraw cash. But now, they are dealing with us two times a week.

“Then, on the withdrawal by politicians, it is not a lie. It is really happening. It is not limited to only one bank but virtually all the commercial banks in the state. There are some locations that per week, they mop up close to N300m, N200m. You can see that when that one is gone from a branch, there is no way you can serve an ordinary man who wants to withdraw N50,000, N100,000. It is very unfortunate.”

Another source alleged that the chieftains of all political parties approached banks for cash, but the ruling APC and the PDP were most responsible for the cash crisis in Ondo banks.

“They withdraw huge sums to keep for vote-buying on the election day,” he added.

Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, denied the allegations, saying the main opposition party did not have the money to buy votes.

He said the popularity of its candidate and that of the party were enough to win the poll.

“The PDP does not need to buy votes to win this election. The antecedents and scorecards of the governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and his deputy can easily see us through the election. Therefore, the allegation is not true as far as the PDP is concerned. However, l cannot speak for the APC which may be relying on vote-buying to cover up their poor performance in government,” he stated.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr Steve Otaloro, also denied the allegation, saying it was to tarnish the image of the party and its candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Otaloro said, “The claim that the APC chieftains have withdrawn large sums of cash from banks to buy votes in the upcoming governorship election on November 16 is a desperate attempt to tarnish our party’s image. Our party, the APC, is committed to conducting free and fair elections, and we have always adhered to the electoral laws and guidelines. We believe in the integrity of the electoral process and have faith in the Ondo State electorate to make informed decisions.

“In fact, our candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed confidence in winning the election based on his outstanding performance and the party’s popularity in the state. We urge the opposition party to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than spreading false information.

“We challenge anyone to provide concrete evidence to support their allegations. Until then, we consider these allegations as mere fabrications aimed at misleading the public. The APC remains committed to transparent and credible elections, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the people of Ondo State receive the best representation they deserve.”

Metro

Human Trafficking: Police Rescue 40 Ghanaians, Arrest Three In Ondo

Published

16 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command says it has successfully rescued one David Angerinya, and 39 other Ghanaian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under false pretences.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Akure by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.

Ayanlade said that the victims were rescued through the operatives of Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Akure, while three suspects were arrested.

He said the operation followed a formal petition forwarded through the Interpol Liaison Office, Force Headquarters Abuja, requesting urgent police intervention over a case of transnational human trafficking involving a Ghanaian citizen.

The spokesperson explained that the victim, David Angerinya, was allegedly lured to Nigeria in 2024 with the promise of employment by an unidentified associate.

“Acting swiftly on the report, detectives from the TIRS, led by DSP Lekan Alabi, commenced a targeted investigation

“Subsequently, three principal suspects identified as Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex and Kojo Felix were apprehended, while the victim was successfully rescued during the operation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a larger transnational trafficking syndicate that specialise in deceiving unsuspecting individuals, particularly from neighboring West African countries.

“The victims travelled to Nigeria with false assurances of lucrative job opportunities and visa arrangements to Canada and other Western nations,” he said.

Ayanlade also explained that “39 other Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same network.”

According to him, many of them were found without valid travel documents, while those who had, presented expired ones.

“All arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the owners and caretakers of the buildings where the victims were harboured.

“The building owners and caretakers may have had knowledge of, or directly facilitated the illegal activities of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adebowale Lawal, has reiterated the unwavering commitment of the command to combating human trafficking and all forms of transnational organised crime.

“The CP urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency contact lines,” Ayanlade said.

(NAN)

Metro

Fuel Station Manager, Three Others Arrested For Robbery

Published

16 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Lagos Police Command has arrested four suspects, including the manager of a fuel station, for allegedly being part of a gang of armed robbers terrorising some areas in the state.

A police source told The PUNCH that the suspects, identified as Noble Saint Neokoro (44) Batomie Samson (48) Abubakar Ali (47) and Bitrus Ibrahim (42) were apprehended in the Ejigbo area of the state.

The source added that their arrest followed a tip-off and discreet investigation by the police.

“The manager of the filling station is among the arrested suspects, while the owner of the station is said to be unaware of the alleged criminal activities. The suspects have allegedly confessed to being a gang of armed robbers,” the source disclosed.

When contacted, the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development.

He said, “The operation was carried out by the Tactical Squad Hawk of the command. Four suspects were arrested including a fuel station manager. The owner of the fuel station denied knowledge of their activities. NUPENG also played a vital role in apprehending the manager.”

Hundeyin, however, added that the operation was a follow-up to the arrest of a notorious gang specialised in hijacking fuel and goods trucks in the state.

The command on June 28 confirmed that seven suspects were nabbed while a fuel tanker loaded with stolen Premium Motor Spirit was recovered.

The driver of the hijacked tanker was said to have reported the incident at the Surulere Police Division.

“Swift police response and discreet investigation led to the recovery of the tanker, which was found empty at Orile, and the arrest of the suspects at a filling station in Ejigbo, where the stolen fuel was being offloaded.

“The suspects, identified as Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed, are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations. A fuel tanker used to transport the stolen fuel has also been recovered as an exhibit,” a statement by Hundeyin read.

The police image maker added that the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their diligence and assured Lagosians of the command’s commitment to ensuring safety of lives and property.

“He encouraged citizens to continue providing timely information to aid police efforts in maintaining security across the state. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Defilement Of Underage Girl In Osun

Published

16 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Osun State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of an Islamic cleric, identified simply as Kadiri, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a minor in Ede, Osun State.

The incident that occurred at Babasanya-Araka Ede led to a protest by an angry mob, who had attacked the suspect after he was seized.

The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, while speaking with The PUNCH, said police operatives were deployed to the scene after the matter was reported.

“The matter was reported, and we deployed operatives to the scene. When our men got to the scene, the Amotekun men who arrested him handed him over to us.

“So, he is in our custody already. But we want the Division to investigate before the matter is transferred to SCID.

“That is all that is available for now,” Ojelabi said.

Amotekun spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, while giving more information about the incident, said, “The suspect is an Imam of a mosque.

“He also has an Arabic school in the area where he is teaching students Arabic. Further investigation is being done by the police.”

On how the suspect was arrested, a resident of Babasanya-Araka, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said the victim was discovered bleeding, prompting her mother to inquire from her what had happened as she had gone missing a few hours earlier.

“The victim, about 8 years old, was missing for some hours on Saturday, and her mother was already looking for her.

“When she was found, she was crying and bleeding.

“She was taken to the hospital in Ede, where she was checked,” the resident said.
(PUNCH)