Customers besieged banks, ATM points

Customers in Ilorin metropolis on Wednesday besieged their different banks with a view to make last minute withdrawal ahead the Eid-el-Fitri festival, Pilot Business can report.

In the same vein, virtually all the Automated Teller Machines in Ilorin metropolis have continued to witness influx of customers especially as the festivity approaches.

The development, it was gathered was because the customers don't want to be caught unaware as the Federal Government has declared both Friday and Monday as public holiday for the Sallah celebration.

Majority of the banking halls were congested as early as 8. 00 am when they opened for operation. The situation made the customers spent close to 2 hours queuing before their turn.

At First Bank and UBA Branches located at Surulere area in Ilorin, customers were seen queuing from the banking halls to the premises while making frantic efforts to ensure they were attended to.

One of the customers, Hajia Ramat Damilola Usman who spoke with Pilot Business said, "The bank will be more congested tomorrow (Thursday), therefore I have to withdraw today even though the queue is long here".

“I cannot take the risk of suffering on the queue on Thursday, which is the reason I am making the withdrawal earlier. Also, I don't want a situation whereby I will be cash strapped during the festivity”.

Another customer at UBA along Surulere Road, Taofeek Yusuf blamed the long queue experienced at the ATM points to the inability of the bank to activate all the ATM points in their premises.

One of the staff of UBA, who pleaded anonymity said that they will render half day service today, which was the reason some of their customers have been rushing to cash their money.

The similar situation was witnessed at Guarantee Trust Bank, Unity Road where customers filled inside the banking hall and the ATM points outside the bank premises.

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