The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has directed all bank employees to stay away from work beginning Monday, February 20, 2023.
Bank operations are not expected to resume until after the 2023 elections.
The directive comes as more bank branches across the country are targeted by hoodlums due to the current naira scarcity.
During a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the association warned that if the attacks on banks and their employees were not immediately halted by the government and concerned security authorities, it might be forced to direct its members to stay away from work.
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The association’s National Secretariat has been inundated with reports of threats and attacks on the lives and properties of members and bank branches, according to a follow-up statement signed by Olusoji Oluwole, ASSBIFI’s national President and dated February 17.
The letter, titled “Stay at home order,” was addressed to all Unit Presidents and Secretaries and referenced ANS/IIR/JA/OP/5018.
“The National Secretariat has been inundated with reports of threats and attacks on members’ lives and properties, as well as bank branches, and has subsequently been on the ground to monitor and confirm the reports,” it says.
“We issued warnings and appeals to Government to provide security measure for the safety of lives and properties of our members within and around the bank premises, but regrettably the attacks have continued without any form of security for the safety of our Members, and the recent being the attack today.
Friday 17 February 2023 on one bank branch at Epe. Lagos State. “We cannot leave the lives and properties of our members exposed to obvious danger.
“Consequently, All members should today immediately stay away from work in any state where bank branches are attacked.
This is to continue every day until normalcy is restored. “Please Note, you will be availed further directives as events develop.”