Zenith Bank Staff Allegedly Leak Information to Armed Robbers, Resulting in Customer Being Robbed Police Invite Manager and Others for Questioning
In a disturbing incident that raises serious questions about bank security, a 55-year-old Russian woman, Angelina Gold, was robbed of $3,500 shortly after withdrawing the money from a Zenith Bank branch in Lagos. The robbery, which occurred on June 14, 2024, has led to suspicions that bank staff may have been complicit.
Gold recounted that after completing her transaction at the Zenith Bank branch on Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, she and her daughter visited nearby shops before heading home. Despite noticing a man who seemed to be following them, they didn’t suspect any immediate danger. However, upon arriving at their compound, the same man approached Gold, demanding the money she had withdrawn and ultimately shooting her in the foot when she hesitated to comply.
The robbery, occurring less than three hours after the bank transaction, has led Gold to suspect an inside job. She questioned how the robber could have organized the attack so quickly and precisely after she left the bank, pointing out that only two people were present in the banking hall during her transaction.
Gold expressed her concerns, saying, “I suspect an insider in the bank because we never told anyone we were going to the bank. Zenith Bank was carelessly giving dollars openly in the hall, which can trigger robbery cases. For many years, no one has ever experienced armed robbery in our neighborhood in GRA Ikeja. Banks should stop giving dollars openly in the hall.”
Following the robbery, Gold reported the incident to CSP Oke, the Divisional Police Officer at Area F Police Station. The police provided her with escorts for medical treatment and travel to the airport. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the case had reached the state police commissioner. He noted that the police had already detained the security guards from Gold’s compound and were investigating the possibility of their involvement.
Hundeyin explained that the police had written to Zenith Bank to speak with the bank manager, the teller, and other staff involved in the transaction. “The bank manager will come to the station for his statement. The security guards have also written theirs and are still in detention. The woman said she’s going to Russia to buy a property this week; otherwise, the price will go up,” he said.
When contacted, Ayoola Kushimo of Zenith Bank’s corporate communications unit stated that the bank would act on any official complaint lodged after the Sallah holidays. “The case in question is new to me. The woman in question has to lodge an official complaint first. If she made any complaints on Friday when it happened, she is likely not to get any response until Wednesday,” he said.
This incident highlights significant concerns about customer safety and confidentiality in banking operations, urging financial institutions to reassess their security protocols to prevent such breaches in the future.
