Fear Grips Osun Residents As Bank Shut Over COVID-19 Scare

By Sodiq Yusuf

Customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in Osogbo, capital of the state of Osun were on Friday turned back as the bank was abruptly shut.

It was gathered that the bank decided to close for the day over fears of a suspected COVID-19 patient traced to the bank.

OSUN DEFENDER reporter who visited the bank observed that the customers who were shocked at the development condemned the bank officials for shutting down without any prior information on reasons for the decision.

A customer, Mr Tade Olujide said “I arrived the bank at 11:20am with the hope of transacting my business for the day. Suddenly, the security operatives came to tell us that the bank had shut down for the day. We inquired for reasons but we were not given any information.”

“All we heard was that there was a suspected COVID-19 patient in the bank. We asked the security but all they told us they have closed.”

“Why would we suffer to save money and suffer to collect our money. This is highly unfair to us. It is not fair at all. They are depriving us of our hard earned money. First, they said they have closed. Now, they’ve come to tell us that there is no network,” another customer lamented.

A staff of the bank who was confronted by some customers stated that “A suspected COVID-19 case was said to have been traced to this bank. We were told that the said patient whose status of COVID-19 has not been confirmed came to transact business with us today.”

“Although, we could not verify his name and details, we do not have any COVID-19 case with us. All we heard was that a suspected case was traced here by officials of state. We have closed for the day.”