Alleged killing of tanker drivers: Irate mob set Sterling Bank branch ablaze
The Apapa branch of Sterling Bank Plc was burnt down on Wednesday by irate mob of truck drivers over an alleged killing of three persons by a Mobile Police officer stationed at the bank, following ensuing arguiment over wrongful parking in front of the bank.
According to an eye witness account trouble started after a mobile police officer shot dead a truck driver for indiscriminately parking in front of the bank. Angered by the killing and the bank’s refusal to hand over the policeman to them, the driver’s colleagues moved to set the bank ablaze, destroying properties and other valuables.
However, the bank stated that the incident was as a result of an armed mobile policeman fleeing from an irate mob after shooting a tanker driver disrupted banking operations at the Sterling Bank branch on Creek Road this morning. He ran into the premises of the bank to escape being lynched.
A statement signed by the Chief Marketing Officer Brand Management & Communications of the group, Henry Bassey said: “An armed mobile policeman fleeing from an irate mob after shooting a tanker driver disrupted banking operations at the Sterling Bank branch on Creek Road this morning. He ran into the premises of the bank to escape being lynched.Security operatives attached to the bank disarmed and arrested the fleeing mobile policeman but did not hand him over to the irate mob.”
The bank said the mob and attacked the bank with the intention of unleashing mayhem on staff and customers, resulting in the branch’s reception area being vandalized and set ablaze.
It stated that security operatives attached to the branch however, 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.
The bank management promised that normal services will continue at nearby branches and through all our electronic channels, while it is working with security agencies to resolve the issue.
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