Calabar residents in Cross River state storm banks in search of cash

Residents of Calabar city in Cross River state, on Monday stormed the various commercial banks in search of cash.

Newsmen monitored the situation of the ongoing cash crunch in the country, reports that there were long queues at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMS) across the city.

It was also reported that there was also a long queue of those trying to gain access into the banking hall for one transaction or the other.

However, most of the ATMs were not dispensing cash, and security personnel at most of the banks were having a tough time trying to maintain order as a result of the crowd.

Some of the residents who spoke, said they had been on the queue as early as 6 a.m. in order to beat the rush.

They, however, regretted that as at past 8 a.m., some of the banks were yet to open for reasons unknown to the customers.

A resident, Mr Abel Odidi, who lamented the situation, said he has not been successful in his attempt to get cash since Thursday.

“I had to come and try again this morning and unsuspectedly, the crowd I met when I got here around 7.30 a.m. was something lamentable,” he stated.

Mr Ashieshie Donald, who described the situation as “terrible”, fumed that residents are faced with the twin problems of not being able to assess cash both in the banking halls and the ATMs.

Simirlarly, Olarewanju Arotimi, a Civil Servant, who said he has been on the queue since 6 a.m., said none of the two ATMs were dispensing cash.

“The worst of it all is that the PoS operators with cash are exploiting the customers with their exorbitant charges,” he said.

Attempts made to speak with some bank officials proved abortive as they said that only their headquarters could comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, there is heavy presence of security personnel within the capital city.

The personnel were seen strategically positioned at different locations within the ancient city.

Spokesperson of Police Command in the State, SP Irene Ugbo, said the deployment of security personnel was only a proactive measure against unexpected eventualities and there was no cause for alarm.