A man identified as Sodirudeen Rufai was apprehended for his attempt to set fire to the Guaranty Trust Bank located in the Oke-Ilewo Area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
PUNCH Metro reported that the suspect’s motivation stemmed from his numerous grievances concerning an unauthorized deduction of N500,000 from his account, to which the bank had not responded.
The Area Commander, Metro, Abeokuta, advised him to let the bank follow its internal procedures in investigating the situation when he initially reported the issue.
However, the situation escalated after the bank informed him that he had fallen victim to fraud.
In response to this news, Rufai reportedly returned to the bank with petrol and started sprinkling it inside the banking hall.
As the scene unfolded, customers fled for their safety, and the bank’s security personnel, along with some customers, managed to subdue Rufai before he could ignite the lighter in his hand.
The bank’s Chief Security Officer, Godwin James, subsequently handed the suspect over to the Ibara Police Division.
During interrogation, Rufai justified his actions as an attempt to bring attention to the bank’s handling of his money.
The state police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that Rufai would be charged with attempted suicide and murder, as his actions posed a serious threat to both his life and the lives of others within the bank.
Punch