June 12: Banks Take Precaution Over Planned Protests; Nigerians Stock Food Supply
Having witnessed previous protests that were hijacked by hoodlums, Commercial banks Saturday took steps to avert the destruction of their property as witnessed in October 2020 during the #EndSARS protests.
Insidebusiness.NG observed that some banks who usually operate on Saturdays had their offices shut and customers restricted to the usual ATM services.
It was also observed that the banks in the Central Business District Area of Abuja, as well as Wuse, Maitama and the central areas had their offices shut, with stern-looking policemen manning their entrances.
However, business activities around the Gwarimpa area and Kubwa axis seemed normal but the popular Zenith Bank along Gado Nasko Way in Kubwa was not open for Saturday banking, neither was there cash at their ATM as confirmed by a customer who spoke to InsidebusinessNG.
Similarly, activities at the tail end of Gado Nasko Way, soldiers and other security operatives were seen at Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and others.
Queues were minimal as few people were only seen withdrawing cash under the watchful eyes of security operatives. A few ATMs were also online, while others had their cash exhausted by the early hours of Saturday morning.
A security man at Zenith Bank in Kubwa told InsidebusinessNG that they had strict instructions to monitor the situation around their area and report same to their head offices as they were not taking any chances at all, should any protest get to the area.
However, markets in the Kubwa area and shops were open as people went about their usual businesses with ease.
A customer at the Kubwa Relocation Market along Arab Road, who spoke to this medium, said he was not aware of any planned protest but just doing his routine shopping for the weekend. He however said he would use the opportunity to stock his house for food for fear that the planned protests may escalate as witnessed last year.
“I don’t know about any protest. I mere came out to buy stuff for the weekend. You know this weekend is a long one, so one has to stock some food. But as you have told me now, I will make sure I get more than what is necessary because that is how problems always start in this country,” he said.
Another customer, Uju Akunna, told this reporter that she had bought all her family needed during the week, but was merely at the market to get a few essentials as they prepare for what may be another imminent lockdown following the planned protests.
“Yes, my husband told me about the planned protests and gave me money to shop during the week. I’m just here to get a few more things that we may need and also buy ingredients for soup. I don’t know why it’s one protest or the other in this country. I hope it will all end today because we cannot stay at home again,” Akunna said.
It would be recalled that in October 2020, hoodlums torched some banks’ branches, while others broke into others offices in a bid to loot their vaults.
A breakdown of the number of branches affected across the country showed that 10 branches of First Bank were damaged; Union Bank of Nigeria also had 10 branches damaged; Guaranty Trust Bank had 9; Access Bank had 8; Fidelity Bank 7; and 6 branches of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) were destroyed.
Similarly, three branches each of Wema Bank and Sterling Bank were damaged; two of the branches each belong to Stanbic IBTC and Unity Bank respectively while Heritage Bank, Ecobank and Polaris Bank lost a branch each respectively.
Insidebusiness.NG learnt that Democracy Day (June 12) protests are billed to take place in Lagos, Edo, Delta, Oyo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Kogi, Yobe, among others.
According to various posters brandished by the organisers, the protesters are demanding amongst other things, an end to the Buhari administration, an unconditional release of all detained activists, a revert of electricity tariff, revert in the pump price of petrol, end to state sponsored terrorism, justice for Omolola Ejioye who was unlawfully detained in Ikorodu/Igbogbo Police Station after an alleged illegal raid but later died in Panti Police Station; A review of the FG’s Twitter ban and return of crypto currency and an end to all forms of oppression.
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