A daring burglary at a Polaris Bank branch in Awka has left staff and customers unsettled after thieves reportedly broke into the vault and carted away an undisclosed sum of money.
The incident, which occurred at the Amenyi branch of the bank, was discovered early Thursday morning when the branch manager, Mrs Okpara Ugoo Chiaka, arrived to begin daily operations.
According to her, the banking hall and offices had been forcefully entered, with the vault left ransacked.
“I was shocked when I walked in and saw the state of the hall. Everything had been turned upside down, and the strong room was broken into,” the manager was quoted as saying by sources familiar with the matter.
Although the exact amount stolen has not yet been confirmed, the discovery has sparked concern among customers who fear the breach could affect banking operations.
Staff members also described the incident as “unsettling,” noting that it raised questions about security within the premises.
An insider disclosed that the bank had already begun internal checks to determine how the burglars gained access and whether there was any internal compromise.
“We are working closely with security agencies to establish what really happened. At the moment, investigations are ongoing,” the source added.
The Anambra State Police Command has reportedly been notified of the development and is expected to launch a full probe into the burglary.
Authorities assured customers that efforts would be made to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
The incident adds to rising concerns over the security of financial institutions across Nigeria, with many calling for stronger surveillance systems and improved collaboration with law enforcement to prevent similar cases.