After Violent Protest, Banks Shut Offices In Akwa Ibom

Fear of further skirmishes and torching of banks by angry customers have forced several banks to shut operations in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday.

And to forestall another breakdown of law and order, the police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, said the commissioner of police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, had directed more security presence around banks’ locations and some violence-prone areas of the capital.

It was gathered that some banks including the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA) along Abak and Aka Roads, and others at the Udo Udoma Banking Layout, did not open for business.

At Access Bank along Barracks Road, hordes of customers were seen being briefed by security officials, intimating them of “no cash” as virtually all the ATM points could not emit cash, due to the new regime announced yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, a senior official of GTB explained that the closure became necessary in order to avoid violence that grounded socio-economic activities in parts of Uyo, including the Banking Layout, Abak and Aka Roads, forcing securing agencies to work assiduously to restore normalcy.

“The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has given order to release the old N200 notes back into circulation, and banks must overhaul or reconfigure the ATM machines to be able to have a seamless process of cash management and redistribution to customers,” an official of a second generation bank explained.

Meanwhile, normal banking operations, according to official sources, would resume today as the process of recycling the old N200 notes back in circulation is expected to be completed, LEADERSHIP Friday gathered from some banks in the capital.