Naira Scarcity: First Bank Threatens to Shut Down Branches if Attacks Persist

Pat Stevens/

Following the spate of attacks on commercial banks by mobs protesting the scarcity of new naira notes, the management of First Bank has appealed for calm among its customers.

A branch of the bank in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, was among the worst hit during the protest that rocked the city yesterday.

First Bank in an email to customers this evening warned that it would not hesitate to temporarily shut down its branches if such attacks continued, in order to guarantee the safety of its staff.

The statement reads in part, “We know these are challenging times and our commitment to support you does not waver. We will keep our doors open and have greatly increased capacity across all our electronic platforms. 

“Being prudent, however, should we observe skirmishes around certain locations, we may have to temporarily shut our doors as we also take the safety and welfare of our staff seriously. 

“We want to think we are together and here to find and provide solutions. Unfortunately, those attacking bank branches only make it more difficult for us to do our part in resolving the challenges we collectively face.”