After getting the assurance of adequate security for its members the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has withdrawn its sit-at-home orders given to its members.

This was as the bankers’ body advised at the instance of any threat of attack by the public without visible protection, they should shut down and move to safe locations until the situation is tamed.

The union explained that its decision was part of the resolution of its Central Working Committee when it review engagements it had with stakeholders

Recall Theliberationnews reported that the union issued the sit-at-home directive to its members in various financial institutions as a safety measure following attacks from the public as a form of protest against the hardship caused by the naira redesign policy.

According to the union, since the order was released, there had been several engagements with different bodies and individuals to address “this ugly trend and we have received assurances that adequate security to protect lives and property will be put into place with immediate effect.”

In a statement signed by its National President, Olusoji Oluwole, the union said: “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.

“While our members in locations that were attacked and assets destroyed may be unable to operate, we have advised other members to assess the security situation in their environments before opening for business.

“We are concerned by the inciting and threatening statements following the initial inability of Banks to accept old N1000 and N500 notes based on instruction of the banking regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The Central Bank of Nigeria should issue a public statement across all their various communication media on the deposit of old notes by the public as the current information is conflicting and confusing.

“The general public should note that Bank workers are not saboteurs but only implementing policies as directed, and therefore should not be subjected to any form of physical or mental attacks from any quarters.

“While we assure the commitment of our members in discharging their responsibilities we hereby call on the CBN to guarantee cash availability to Deposit Money Banks and in accordance with the directives of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order for our Banks to meet the needs of the general public.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force, on Friday announced that it would treat any one caught vandalising banks or attacking its officials as a form of protest against the naira redesign policy as armed robbers.

A statement issued by its spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Odejobi read: “We complain banks don’t attend to us yet we go to their facilities and set them ablaze, destroy ATMs. How do you want them to serve you better if you have destroyed their facilities?

“I think we need to educate ourselves on what the law says about this. You don’t go to any bank, ATM, or financial institution to attack. It is criminal and tantamount to armed robbery. If you are caught in the act, you will be treated as an armed robber.

“Even the ATM, as small as that machine is, has certain protections from the security agencies, particularly the police. It is an infrastructure that you don’t attack. If you do that, it is presumed that you are actually going there to rob.

“A protest must be coordinated. We can be civil and do it better. And these guys that come out are not interested in demanding their monies or requesting anything from the government. It is just to loot shops. You can see the clips showing that these guys are there to foment troubles. They have their targets.”