Metro

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

Published

1 year 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

21 Secondary School Students Arrested Over Cultism In Edo

Published

18 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, Benin City, for suspected cult activities.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, who disclosed this in a statement on said the students were between 14 and 17 years old.

According to Yamu, the arrest was made following a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi, off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City by the suspects.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command has arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School located at Limit road off Benin-Sapele road, aged between 14 and 17years who are suspected to be cultists.

“This followed a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City.

“On 12th November, 2025 at about 1:45 p.m., operatives attached to the Loveworld Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilised to Osemwende Public Secondary School where students suspected to be engaged in cultism from Ogioma Public Secondary School stormed the premises in a convoy of motorcycles, allegedly to carry out violent acts.

“The prompt response of the police led to the arrest of 21 of the invading students namely – Promise Afekokhian (16 years), Samuel John (16 years), Godstime Sunday (15 years), Basit Kareem (14 years), Destiny Lucky (15 years), Miracle Peter (16 years), Victor Innocent (14 years), Osazee Efe (16 years), Usman Adamu (17 years) and Orodge Miracle (15 years).

“Others are Godspower Agharevba (16 years), Favour Ogunde (16 years) Clinton Oghenetega (17 years), Wisdom Ehimen (17 years), Zenith Jonathan (17 years), Steven Monday (14 years), Ogbebor Calistus (17 years), Marvelous Imadefe (15 years), Success Ogar (16 years), Osaro Osama Praise (13 years) and Miracle Bassey (16 years) while others escaped.

“Four knives and a chain were recovered from the suspects. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier circulated a threat voice note, boasting of plans to “stage a war,” burn down the school, and harm students and staff — a threat they attempted to carry out before being contained by police intervention.

“Both school principals have been invited for further questioning, and the arrested suspects have been arraigned in court for prosecution. Eight of the twenty-one suspects were remanded while 13 were released to thier parents/guardians who will inturn produce them on 28th November 2025 for the next court sitting.”

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the activities and groups their children associate with, both within and outside school environments.

He also called on school authorities to strengthen discipline, report suspicious gatherings or threats promptly, and collaborate closely with the police to prevent juvenile delinquency and violence in schools.

The CP said the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all residents, especially in schools across the state inline with the Nigeria Police Force Safe Schools Initiative.

Metro

Military Captures Plateau Gunrunner, Recovers Arms

Published

18 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Joint Military Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), has apprehended a suspected gunrunner and recovered several arms in Plateau State.

The suspect, identified as Ishaya Musa, was arrested at the Jebbu Bassa Bypass checkpoint in Bassa Local Government Area on November 14, 2025.

The Spokesman for the Military Task Force, Major Samson Zhakom, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday.

Zhakom said troops recovered several weapons from the suspect, including six fabricated single-barrel rifles, two fabricated revolver rifles, one Dane gun, one expended cartridge, and other sundry items.

According to him, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking and enhance national security.

“The suspect and recovered items are in custody for further action,” the statement said.

The military urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, especially as the harvest and yuletide season approaches.

“This operation highlights the unwavering commitment of JTF OPEP to protecting law-abiding citizens, preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons, and maintaining peace and stability within the Joint Operations Area,” the statement added.

In another local government in the state, the same task force raided a suspected gunrunner’s hideout in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.

The operation was carried out on November 13 at Fashoron Village in Daffo District by Sector 2 (Sub-Sector 2) of the task force.

Our correspondent reports that Plateau State has experienced security challenges for many years, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to restore order.

The suspect’s arrest is the latest in a series of security operations by the joint task force, during which several individuals have been apprehended for alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.

Metro

Father Arrested For Abusing Daughters In Delta

Published

18 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old man, Mr. Edward Odega, for allegedly defiling his three daughters in Delta State.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest on Saturday in Asaba.

According to Edafe, the abuse, which had gone on for seven years, came to light after the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogborikoko Division, CSP Temi Agbede Zuokumor, conducted an enlightenment outreach in a school, during which one of the victims disclosed her ordeal.

He said, “The Command has arrested a father who had been defiling his three daughters for the past seven years.

“The three children are now aged 13, 15 and 24. The disclosure by one of them during the DPO’s school outreach led to the arrest of the father.”

Edafe added that the three children are currently receiving medical attention.

During interrogation, Odega confessed to the crime, admitting: “I have three daughters, and I started sleeping with my first daughter when she was 12 years old.”

He also admitted to defiling the other two daughters, aged 13 and 15.

Edafe noted that the suspect is “in custody” and will be “charged to court to face full prosecution” in line with the state’s laws on sexual offences.

In October, two fathers, Azeez Lamidi and Oyewole Adamolekun, were arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly impregnating their daughters after multiple incidents of sexual abuse.
(PUNCH)