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Police start manning security at banks
2006-03-08 08:03:30
By Judica Tarimo
Police in Dar es Salaam will this week begin deploying armed officers at all banks and financial institutions to curb armed robberies.
The move follows President Jakaya Kikwete’s directive last month that all banks and financial institutions be guarded by armed police.
’We expect to start deploying armed police at all banking and financial institutions from tomorrow (today) once the logistics have been worked out by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the banks to formalise the arrangement,’ said Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Alfred Tibaigana.
A survey by The Guardian yesterday found that most banks still lack armed security, which makes them and forex bureaus vulnerable to armed robbery.
The Guardian visited the Kenya Commercial Bank, Sukari branch of Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered and other financial institutions.
A Kenya Commercial Bank official said: ’We have applied for armed police officers, but the police are yet to respond.’
Bank of Baroda Managing Director Vinod Kumar Seth, said he had not received official communication from the police or banks’ regulator on the presidential directive.
However, Tibaigana said that some banks had already submitted requisitions for armed security.
He said that the requisitions have been forwarded to the IGP for processing and eventual implementation.
He said that this would pave the way for official deployment of armed police at all banks as per the presidential directive.
’We have decided to deploy the police immediately, while other logistics and procedures are still being sorted out between IGP and banks,’ said Tibaigana.
Meanwhile, Tibaigana said police are investigating the robbery incident at Standard Chartered Bank on Monday during which armed thugs stole 300m/-.
Tibaigana said several employees of the Ultimate Security firm are still being held for questioning in connection with the incident.
He gave their names as Ali Bakari, Tendaulwa Ngweumrwe, Issack Rodrick, Nassor Shebe, Seif Suleman, Frank Mushi, Moshi Ramadhan, Aman Suleman, Matatu Abed, Juma Abdulfo, Frederick Felix and Pespais Bulenga.
’We are still questioning them. We will take other steps after the interrogation process is over,’ said Tibaigana.
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