By Obinna Uballa
The Delta State Police Command has directed banks across the state to strengthen security around their operations as the ember months set in, a period traditionally associated with heightened criminal activity.
Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, gave the directive on Tuesday in Asaba during a strategic security meeting with members of the Bankers’ Forum. The session, he explained, was convened to address potential threats to banks and their customers ahead of the busy Yuletide season.
Represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the CP stressed the importance of installing advanced and functional CCTV cameras to boost surveillance in and around banking premises.
“The installation of advanced and functional CCTV cameras in the banking environment is very important to support the effort of the police in monitoring what goes on,” Adejobi said.
He added that the command was adopting proactive measures, aware that the ember months often witness an influx of people into Delta, which in turn could embolden criminal elements.
On her part, the Chief Security Officer of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Asaba, Mrs. Evangeline Patrick, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, commended the initiative. She noted that the apex bank does not release cash to commercial banks that fail to provide adequate police escorts.
Also present at the meeting were 39 chief security officers representing banks across the state.
