As investigation into the robbery incident witnessed at Idi-Ape area of Ibadan, Oyo State continues, the Special Adviser to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde on Security, Mr Fatai Owoseni has said that the incident was a high-level organized crime with different conspirators in different quarters including the bank.
The SA made this known earlier today while featuring on a radio programme, State Affairs with veteran journalist, Edmund Obilo on Splash FM.
Owoseni noted that the robbery was a high-level organized crime as the criminals had access to information very few people should be privy to.
His words: “The robbers knew when the money would be moved. What route the money would pass. How many officers were protecting the money. The lay of the route and when there would be a hold up on that route. It was an organized crime. A lot of conspirators were involved starting from within the bank.
Commenting on the fact that Idi-Ape is a security zone with the Governor’s office and official apartment being a stone throw away, the SA said: “I would also like to use this medium to correct the notion that Idi-Ape is a ‘security zone’ and why there was no counter attack within a few minutes.
“Everyone has said that and I don’t know what they meant by that area being a security zone. When you are classifying security zones, you won’t classify that area as a security zone. A security zone is an area where there is limited access to entry and exit; a restricted area. Idi-Ape is not. People move freely in and out of Idi-Ape. It links various parts of the city.
“Also, when things are planned, when it is a high-level organized crime like the one we just witnessed, it is difficult to prevent it.
“As for the question of why there was no response, from what i heard, the security operatives couldn’t launch a counterattack. If they had, we would have lost scores of people to that incident because in the course of the criminals wanting to escape, you won’t know who is who and innocent people would be caught in the crossfire.
“The only thing the security people could have done was to cross them as they move”, he stated.
The Security Adviser also blamed the banks for what he termed negligence and inability to follow normal procedures for moving money.
He said: “Also the banks are not exempted in this incident. Apart from the conspiracy, banks all-over Nigeria, the Bankers Committee Forum agreed on what should be used to carry money. The Bankers Committee have a Bankers’ warehouse where they do take those vehicles from. These vehicles should be bulletproof and well armoured. The security operatives escorting the money should be well-armed and protected.
“You put security operatives to protect money that has been insured in a vehicle that is not bulletproof. The policemen are not wearing bulletproof vests. But, the money is insured.
“If you are not using the standard vehicle to carry money, they shouldn’t have given you the police escort.”
Meanwhile, Owoseni assured the public that investigation was in top-gear and the masterminds behind the operation would be apprehended and paraded in due course.
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