A nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship triggered by recent government reforms brought parts of the nation’s capital to a standstill on Thursday, August 1. The announced protest led to the closure of banks, filling stations, and markets in major areas of Abuja.
Banks along Federal Housing Estate Lugbe, including UBA, Fidelity, and Polaris, closed their doors to customers. The temporary shutdown was a precautionary measure to avoid potential losses and damage to properties and lives amidst the ongoing protests. Under the watchful eyes of security personnel, the areas surrounding the banks remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or destruction.
In Gwarinpa, major banks such as Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, and GTBank were shut down. While some banks in the Central Business District remained open, they were not attending to customers, though their ATMs continued to dispense cash. Fear of potential violence also forced many businesses to close shop.
In Dutse and Nyanya, markets were completely deserted, while traders in Wuse Market opted to keep their shops closed despite being present. “We can’t open our shops because of fear that the protest may turn violent,” said Livinus, a trader in Wuse Market. Another trader, Kelechi, expressed support for the protest but lamented the potential financial losses due to the closure.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Berger, where most shops were closed, with only the NNPCL filling station operational. The protest, expected to continue in the coming days, highlights the growing discontent among Nigerians over the economic challenges facing the country.
