Banks Shut Branches Over Customer Attacks

Category: Nigeria News

 

As the naira scarcity persists, some banks are shutting their branches over rising customer attacks, according to findings by The Punch.

This came a day after the Lagos State Police Command issued a warning that some groups were planning to unleash violence in the state due to the naira scarcity.

Some of the banks had started to allow non-essential employees to work from home.

Findings show Zenith Bank has shut down some branches in Lagos State over the fear of attacks by angry Nigerians due to the ongoing naira scarcity.

Some Zenith Bank branches in Ikeja, Ikorodu and Agege were shut on Tuesday while some closed earlier.

Since the naira redesign policy started, banks have been at the receiving end of the frustration of Nigerians.

Videos of individuals climbing counters, stripping, and expressing their anger in banking halls have circulated on social media.
Nigerians have been going through hardships in getting their hands on the new naira notes as the February 10 deadline approaches.

This has led to attacks on some banks in the state, as states like Edo and Oyo have witnessed protests that degenerated into riots.

Recently, banks have been subjected to violent attacks. In Ibadan, a Wema Bank branch was vandalized when riots broke out over the weekend. This has led to increased security and caution around many banks.

With the heightened tension accompanying the protracted naira scarcity in the country, some commercial banks on Tuesday directed some of their branches to shut down operations until further notice.