The security breach and violent bank robbery that occurred in Ikere, Ekiti State on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, have been harshly criticized by the Ikere Development Forum (IDF), a think tank organization that serves as an umbrella organization for all Ikere Indigenes globally.Three Amotekun security personnel lost their lives in an incident that abruptly ended social and economic operations at a branch of two commercial banks, Wema Bank and Access Bank.
The Forum denounced yesterday's National President, Mr. Femi Ekundayo FCIB, statement for the security agencies' sluggish response, particularly the police's, to the heinous incident that claimed the lives of innocent people.
"The Forum notes with sadness that since arsonists burned down the town's two divisional police stations during the ENDSARS protest in 2020, the State and the Federal Government have left an entire local government without a functioning police station."
"We regret that on a day known as Black Wednesday, armed robbers brutally attacked our dear community.
This is the second time that bold thieves who came to plunder commercial banks have struck a quiet village. A similar violent attack on banks occurred in 2011, causing months' worth of disruption to banking operations in the area. Our people will suffer socially and economically as a result of this new incident since they will have to endure the inconvenience of having to go to neighboring communities in order to do banking business.
The Forum expresses its condolences for the terrible event and extends its sympathy to HRM Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado Agirilala II, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, and the entire community.
"We demand that Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor, and President Bola Tinubu promptly restore full security to the Ikere community, expedite the reconstruction of the damaged police stations, and see to it that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice.
We further demand that the pertinent security agencies take responsibility for their actions and guarantee the safety of our people's lives and belongings in Ikere.
The statement said, "We encourage our people to maintain composure, follow the law, be watchful, and assist the security agencies in their efforts to put an end to such incidents in our community."