On April 23, 2024, the territorial police in Soroti City East division arrested two Security Group Africa (SGA) employees in connection with an alleged robbery at Equity Bank in Soroti City.
Speaking to the press, Francis Erumu, Manager of the Equity Bank Soroti branch, stated that despite the attempted robbery, everything in the bank was intact.
“The thieves tried to access the bank last night; however, the guards were on alert and the police are still doing their work,” he said.
Musa Eromo, the Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Soroti City West Division, confirmed the incident and stated that security had surrounded the area for further investigation.
“Yesterday at around 1 o’clock, some thugs found themselves in Equity Bank Soroti Branch and security was informed that some unidentified persons had found their way into the bank premises.
Eromo said on Tuesday that the thugs used a ladder to gain access to the bank’s first floor through the windows.
He also advised various banking institutions to ensure they have reliable security systems in place, as well as conduct security checks and follow-ups to avoid such scenarios.
“Security management should always conduct routine checks every now and then because we have always heard scenarios in which the security guards on duty are asleep, which is how these robbers gain access,” he added.
Meanwhile, RCC of Soroti City East Division Edwin Benesa praised the community members’ collective responsibility in saving the bank from such calamity.
“I want to commend the members of the community for being vigilant and for doing the needful to save the situation here. Otherwise, the bank could have lost colossal sums of money,” Benesa added.
He expressed concern about the bank’s weakness and failure to install CCTV cameras, which he claims has made security investigations difficult.
“I was speaking with the police head in charge of CCTV cameras, but the bank does not have any cameras. The other issue is how UMEME went off just as thieves were attempting to rob the bank, which raises many questions,” he said.
He urged the public to be vigilant and contact police in such cases, confirming that a joint security team is already in place to conduct investigations.
ASP Edson Obukulem, PRO of East Kyoga Regional Police, spoke to tndNews about the Tuesday incident.
He identified the two SGA employees as John Erong, 36 (Supervisor) and Emmanuel Epuneu. Following a failed robbery attempt at the bank, both were encircled on Tuesday in the early hours.
“We believe these people took advantage of the total blackout in Soroti City and the failure of the bank generator,” he stated.
He also urged all security teams at various institutions to stay in touch with the deployment and operations officers of the various security agencies, as well as have immediate contacts with the area police for quick response.
He stated that the third suspect is on the run and has turned off all of his contacts.
“Our joint task team from the Police and UPDF responded swiftly and staged at the bank.
“Our prior investigations indicate that the suspects escaped from the scene after failing to access the banking hall. No one was hurt, and no property or money was stolen,” Obuku Lem said.
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