Tanker drivers went on rampage in Apapa, Lagos on Wednesday setting ablaze a branch each of Diamond Bank and Sterling Bank.
An eyewitness account made available to Qed.ng revealed that trouble started when one of the drivers parked his vehicle directly in front of one of the banks located on Creek Road.
A mobile policeman attached to the bank was said to have approached the driver that he should move from the spot.
An argument ensued leading to the fatal shooting of the driver.
Angered at the development, other tanker drivers mobilised and stormed the bank, demanding that the policeman be produced.
Afraid that the uniformed personnel would be lynched, the bank refused to hand him over to the mob, leading to the burning of the two banks.
The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos Police Command, in a statement released after the situation had been brought under control, gave an account of what happened at Sterling Bank.
It reads: “Truck boys in Creek Road, Apapa burnt down Sterling Bank branch over an alleged misunderstanding with a mobile police officer in the area.
“The truck boys, numbering about hundred were reported to have chased the officer from the Creek Road branch of Sterling Bank before burning it down.
“The incident happened at around 10:00 a.m. today.
“They were reported to have been irked by the bank’s delay in handing over the officer, who they felt was hiding in the bank.
“They were reported to have immediately carried disused tyres and set the bank on fire.
“As at the time of this report, the bank workers who escaped the scene were seen returning to their offices to pick up their belongings.
“Several computer sets, split units of AC, ATMs counters and several other property of the bank were torched by the fire”.
A statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank, Chioma Afe, also confirmed the incident, just as the bank announced that it had closed all its branches in the Apapa area.
Our Apapa branches are closed due to the ongoing security situation in the area. pic.twitter.com/e4wxfERiml
— Diamond Bank (@DiamondBankNG) July 19, 2017
“We had a fire incident at our branch office on Creek Road, Apapa which severely damaged branch infrastructure as a result of mob action. While the situation is under control, we are working with the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to investigate actions leading to the fire incident. While these investigations are ongoing, the branch will be closed to customers for their safety and to allow for completion of all repairs,” the statement said.
