In the Amhara region, amidst escalating conflicts between government forces and Fano militants, armed forces robbed over 67 million Birr from the Tsedey and Abyssinia Bank branches in Geshen Debre Kerbe on October 5, 2024. according to announcements by the banks’ managers.

Zewdu Kena, the operations manager of Abyssinia Bank’s Geshen Debre Kerbe branch, reported that on October 5, at approximately 11:30 p.m., armed individuals entered the bank and robbed more than 63 million. The incident occurred while the bank was serving the customers those attending the Geshen anniversary celebrations, according to Amhara Media Corporation’s report.

Amare Mamo, the manager of Tsedey Bank’s Geshen Debre Kerbe branch, was reported to have been abducted from their residence by gunmen at night 5:30 PM and taken him to the bank and forced him to open the safe. The security guards were also stayed him under hostage of them at the bank.

The managers reported that they were coerced and assaulted by a group of 25 to 30 armed individuals who then accessed the safe, stealing over 4 million 813 thousand Birr from Tsedey Bank and in excess of 63 million from Abyssinia Bank.

They also warned them that disclosing information could put their lives and their families at risk.

The escalating conflict between government security forces and Fano militants in the Amhara region, especially this season, is raising concerns.