Customers besiege banks in Minna, disregard social distancing rule

Banks in Minna, the Niger state capital had a chaotic time on Tuesday, as the turnout of customers who came to transit business was unprecedented.

However, it was observed that some banks mainly first generation banks, refused to offer services to customers due to the large number of people and the refusal to adhere to social distancing.

At early as 7 am, most of the banks especially GTB, UBA, Zenith Bank, and First Bank were filled to the brim as hundreds of customers were already at the gates waiting for them to open.

It was observed that most of the people who were at the banks were not wearing face masks while the social distancing directive was not adhered to.

At GTB in Tunga, the doors leading to the banking hall were closed, but the gates were opened. Security men were at the sides giving out deposit forms to those who can trust them enough to give them their money.

Some of the customers filled the forms and gave the forms and money to the security men who went into the banking hall to deposit the money and returned with evidence of the deposit.

However, this served for only a few people as the forms got finished at about 11 am, leaving other bemused ncustomers confused on what to do next.

“Is this what they will do to us? I have my brother who needs money urgently. This is not fair, the ATM is filled and they are not opening the bank.

“What do they want us to do? How do they want is to address our financial challenges,” Amina, a female customer said.

“How will GTB not open their bank? Even if its three people they allow in each time, they would have succeeded in reducing the crowd, but by not opening the bank, they are making matters worse,” she asserted.

Access Bank has three branches in Minna, but only two of the branches were opened and they were both filled by anxious customers.

At one of the branches, the gates were opened, but the doors to the banking hall were not closed while the other branch, the gates were closed, but customers were allowed to enter occasionally.

Two canopies were set up inside the gate, one for bulk deposit while the other was for little amount and other complaints.

Most of the customers outside the gate challenged the security for giving numbers to those they know as some claimed they have been at the for hours without been attended to.

“I have been here since 7 am and each time they come to give numbers, they will just pass me and give it to someone else,” a lady, Tracy said.

Her claim was confirmed when a man came out of the bank and asked the security man to let her in, “this lady was here before me, allow her to enter; please consider her.”

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At the main branch of the UBA, it was the case of who you know that will get you in.

It was observed that anyone who comes and knows a staff, calls the staff and the customer is directed to the back gate where further calls are made and confirmed to enable the person enter the bank.

Inside the bank premises, people were sitting waiting for their turn to enter the banking premises while outside the gate, those not allowed in sat on the floor as the securitymen continued to reassure them that they will enter into the banking hall.

When our reporter contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Wasiu, he said that stricter measures will be taken in the next window to minimize large gatherings at banks.

He lauded the banks for adhering to the guidelines given to them while he urged bank customers to adhere to social distancing.