ASSBIFI, however, directed its members and other banks workers to shut their doors against customers whenever their lives are at risk
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has directed its members nationwide to resume banking operations from Monday, February 20, 2023.
This directive was given on Sunday by the President of the association, Olusoji Oluwole, who said ASSBIFI has suspended its plans to commence full strike action on Monday.
He, however, advised its members and other bank workers to remain vigilant and shut their doors against customers whenever their lives are in danger.
He said: “Following the recent unwarranted attacks on members of ASSBIFI, other bank workers, and the destruction of several branches across various states, we were forced to issue a stay-at-home order to our members to safeguard their lives and properties of their various organisations.
“Based on the outcome of our discussion, we hereby release the following statements: while our members will resume at their functional branches immediately, the safety and security of their lives remain paramount to us and we continue to demand that visible and adequate security is provided in all operational areas. particularly places that are traditionally known to be volatile.
“In the event of any threat of attack by the public without visible protection, they have been advised to shut down and move to safe locations until such a time that their safety can be guaranteed,” he said
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Oluwole further added that banks and other financial institutions are advised to assess the security situation in their environments before opening for business.
He went on to say his association is concerned by the attitude displayed by the public following the refusal of banks to accept old N1000 and N500 notes based on the directive of the apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria.
There had been several cases of protests and destruction of bank facilities across the country over the naira scarcity, leading ASSBIFI to instruct its members to sit at home to safeguard their lives.