Social media handlers at Sterling Bank carried on with business as usual on Wednesday while a branch in Apapa, Lagos was on fire.
Irate tanker drivers stormed the branch on Creek Road after a policeman fatally shot a driver and took refuge in the bank.
The mob, according to a statement by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, set the bank on fire using disused tyres.
Workers ran away as the mob destroyed computer sets, split units of AC, ATMs machines and several other property.
While Diamond Bank, which was equally destroyed by the tanker drivers, tweeted that it had closed it branches in the area, the Yemi Adeola-led Sterling Bank was promoting musician, Omawumi Megbele, as fashion icon of the week on Twitter.
Soul, Passion, Energy & Style. Simply put, She’s pretty awesome! Give it up for our #FashionIconOfTheWeek, OmaWonder!! pic.twitter.com/irG052bKYO
— Sterling Bank Plc (@Sterling_Bankng) July 19, 2017
The bank, however, released a statement about the attack on its website.
It reads: “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 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 electronic channels.
“Sterling Bank is working with security agencies investigating this incident”.
