New minimum wage: Cross River residents in strike fever, besiege banks, ATM to withdraw cash

In anticipation of the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, United Labour Congress, ULC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, bank customers in Cross River State have besieged commercial banks and Automated Teller Machines, ATM, in the state to withdraw their money.

OKSH360NEWS correspondent, who visited some banks in the state, observed that the financial centres and ATM galleries experienced unusually long queues, with a source hinting that “the queues were so long such that it blocked the flow of traffic in some major streets such as Boco Biri, Chamley, Mutala Mohammed and other streets”.

Some customers, who interacted with our correspondent on Monday, lamented that some of the banks they visited have no money, with a depositor lamenting that, “I visited a bank at Calabar road, and there was no money in the ATM”.A customer, Mr Matthew Nkanu, said, “You know, tomorrow is strike, we may likely run into problem of no money, hence the best thing is to source for it before we regret”.

Meanwhile, the Police in the state have deployed over 3,000 policemen to strategic locations with a view to preventing the breakdown of law and order while the anticipated strike lasted.

Speaking with DAILY POST on phone, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Hafiz, said Police have deployed over three thousand (3,000) of its operatives to strategic position to protect law and order.

“The Police constitution has guaranteed peace and security and the operatives have to ensure that we maintain law and order. Law and order must prevail in this state,” he said.

Hafiz continued, “We have deployed over three thousand police officers to strategic positions in the state. We are in torch with labour leaders and they have assured us that there would be no break of law and order.

“All our men are going to be on essential duties, we have over three thousand police officers, they are all going to be deployed to man security and protect the citizenry. Those on annual leaves have resumed and they are to work assiduously with a view to maintaining law and order.”