Our correspondent reports that banks in Abakaliki closed for business on Monday, when the protest assumed a violent dimension, with the torching of private and public property.

Our correspondent who visited some automated teller machines (ATMs) in the city, reports that they were not dispensing cash, an indication that they were not loaded with cash.

It was learnt that banks decided not to open to public to avoid being attacked by hoodlums.

The protesters razed down the Central Police Station, Onuebonyi and destroyed public buildings as well as private and public vehicles in the city.

It was also reported that major roads in Abakaliki were on Tuesday barricaded by security operatives deployed to strategic locations in the city to help bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of the residents has decried the alleged hijack of the otherwise peaceful EndSARS protest by suspected hoodlums.

Speaking in separate interviews they called on the security agencies to take immediate steps to bring the crisis to an end.

A bank customer, Mrs Grace Okome, said that the protest had lost its essence and now posed serious threat to the nation’s economy and security.

“Look at how we are suffering. Even in your street, you are not safe. Crime is now on the increase.

“The worse now is that there is no money because the banks are not working and one cannot withdraw money through the ATMs.

“The violent protest has done more evil than good to the people. Everybody is frustrated.

“Even when you have the money, it’s still difficult to buy anything because of the high cost of commodities in the market,” Okome said.

Also, Mr Chimaobi Okafor, regretted that he could not withdraw money to meet his needs because the ATMs were unable to dispense cash.

“I have visited four to five banks but none is working,” he said.

“The protesters are heartless. How can they be destroying private and public property in the name of protest.

“Positive change does not come in an atmosphere of chaos and disorder.

“See how people are suffering. From curfew to where we are now, no access to our own money in the bank.

“Please, they should end the protest to move the state and country forward. The protest has disrupted governance at all levels,” Okafor said.

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Our correspondent reports the protesters blocked the NNPC axis of the Abeokuta-Sagamu road, thus making it difficult for civil servants to resume for work at the Oke Mosan state secretariat.

It was also reported that the Papalanto-Obada Oko end of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway was also blocked, thus preventing vehicular movements inbound Abeokuta and outbound Lagos.

The same scenario was witnessed at Pansheke and Camp areas of Abeokuta metropolis where the protesters mounted roadblock and prevented vehicular movements.

It was reported that vehicles travelling from Lagos or other parts of Ogun enroute Abeokuta-Kopabe-Siun-Sagamu expressway had to find alternative routes to the state capital.

Speaking with our correspondent at the NNPC protest ground, Mr Bolaji Amusan, the President of Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPPAN), said that the association supported the protest, saying the police brutality must stop.

“I have traveled to some parts of the world and the youths are well appreciated in those countries.

“The protest is peaceful and any sane person will want to identify with them. Government is aware of the demands of the youth and I want to believe that they will attend to them because there is no nation without the youth.

“We also demand for good governance. Since our generation had refused to do the needful, it is important for us to join the youth of today in their quest for a better nation, “he said.

It was reported that another Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola and other celebrities also joined in the protests.

One of the protesters, Wale Olagbenro, said that there should be a change in the way the police system was being run, stressing that the protest was an opportunity for the youth to express their grievances.

He noted that government needed to listen to the youth, as it was important for the country’s socio-economic development.

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