Drama As Customers Besiege Banks In Ondo

Many bank customers in Akure, the Ondo State capital have stormed the banks in frustration.

The customers besieged banks to collect cash or deposit the old notes of N500 and N1000 notes.

Checks showed that banks are only paying out N5,000 per withdrawal against the N20,000 announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN). 

An official at the Polaris Bank, who pleaded anonymity, said the payment of N5000 was to ensure the available cash get to many customers.

There were no cash at several ATM points visited in Akure.

Mr. Akin Osuntokun, who spoke to our reporter, lamented decision of the banks to pay out only N5000.

“What will I do with N5000 after waiting for many hours? I am number 245 and I came here at about 8am. N5000 cannot buy anything for me and my family.”

Ondo State Government has taken steps to tackle petrol stations owners who insisted on cash payment only.

The petrol stations in Akure refused alternative payment such as Bank Transfers or use of Point of Sales.

Ondo Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr Razaq Obe, who visited some petrol stations, caught attendants at the Matrix Petrol Station, Oke -Ijebu, insisting that only customers with cash would be attended to.

He said petrol station would be used as an example to deter others from engaging in the act.

In Ikare-Akoko, Akoko Northeast local government, only two banks opened for businesses.