By ADEKUNLE WILLIAMS

The Ikere Development Forum (IDF) a think-tank group and an umbrella body for all Ikere Indigenes worldwide, has strongly condemned the violent bank robbery that took place in Ikere, Ekiti, on Wednesday.

The group’s National President, Mr Femi Ekundayo, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a branch of two commercial banks were attacked in the incident.

The attack brought social and economic activities to abrupt end, leading to the death of three security personnel of Amotekun.

Ekundayo, however, urged President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of the state and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately beef up security in Ikere community.

The national president added that they should fast track the rebuilding of the damaged police stations and ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to justice.

Ekundayo condemned the slow response of security agencies especially the police in responding to the dastardly act that claimed innocent lives.

He decried how the state and the Federal Government had left a whole local government without any functional police station since arsonists burnt down the two divisional police stations in the town during the #ENDSARS protest in 2020.

The national president said they were sad that their beloved community was violently attacked by armed robbers on a day that had been tagged a Black Wednesday.

“This is the second time the peaceful community will be attacked by daredevil robbers who came to attack commercial banks.

“Similar violent attack on banks happened in 2011 and left the town without banking activities for months.

“This new episode will cause social and economic setback for our people who will have to bear the pain of travelling to neighbouring communities for their banking transactions.

“The forum, however, commiserates with the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado Agirilala II and the entire community over the tragic occurrence,” he said.

Ekundayo also called on relevant security agencies to be alert to their responsibilities and ensure the protection of lives and property of their people in Ikere.

He urged the people to remain calm, law-abiding, vigilant and support the security agencies in their bid to put an end to such occurrence in the community. (NAN)

Update news