Abaji residents face economic and social hardships due to the prolonged closure of the town’s only bank following violent robberies.

A small but poignant crisis is unfolding in Abaji, a quiet town nestled in central Nigeria. The community has been grappling with the extended closure of its only bank, a decision made after a harrowing series of robberies that left devastation in their wake. For months, the bank’s locked doors have symbolized a loss of trust and a barrier to the town’s economic pulse.

The impact has been profound. Business owners, daily wage earners, and residents who rely on the bank for financial transactions have found themselves stranded. Commerce has been disrupted, livelihoods upended, and the fabric of daily life torn apart.

The robberies that triggered this situation were nothing short of brutal. Earlier this year, armed assailants stormed the bank, killing several people, including a local security guard. The aftermath has left scars that extend beyond the tragedy itself. The building stands derelict, a stark reminder of the violence, while the bank’s management has offered no signs of reopening, citing unresolved structural damage.

Without local banking services, Abaji’s residents have been forced to seek alternatives in neighboring towns like Gwagwalada and Lokoja—trips that are not only costly but also time-consuming. For youth and small business owners, the burden is particularly heavy. Traveling over an hour for basic banking needs has become a grueling reality. Those relying on ATMs face similar challenges, often journeying long distances for cash withdrawals.

The frustration is palpable. Ummilkhair Muhammad Sani, a lifelong resident, expressed her struggle: “Transport from Abaji to nearby towns is expensive, so I’ve left the card without renewing it.” Others, like Umar Ashafa, lament the reliance on point-of-sale (POS) operators, who charge exorbitant fees for cash withdrawals. “We are at the mercy of POS (point of sale) operators. To withdraw ₦1,000, you now have to pay ₦100. Now calculate the charges, and it’s a hardship. Sometimes, you must check several shops to find cash,” he said.

Local businesses are equally beleaguered. Ekene Arachie, the manager of Nipco Petroleum in Abaji, described the absence of banking services as a severe security risk. “The effect of the absence is very devastating. Major businesses find it difficult to handle cash. The absence of such commercial banks has done more harm than good.” He warned that it has created a lacuna between businesses and banks and given room for security challenges.

POS operators, often a lifeline in cash-strapped communities, are struggling too. Mallam Adamu, one such operator, shared his plight. “We have to beg big shop owners to give us cash. Normally, we get that cash from banks, but now it affects our business. Sometimes, I cannot get cash and have to close down my shop,” he explained.

Even law enforcement acknowledges the broader implications. A police officer who requested anonymity highlighted the widespread complaints from residents and businesses alike. “They are seriously affected by the bank closure as they do not have any means to easily transact their business, especially the movement of cash and settling of debts,” he said. Efforts are underway to rebuild trust within the community and strengthen security measures, but challenges remain.

Reflecting on the robbery that led to the closure, the officer described it as “unfortunate.” Despite limited information from residents during the attack, the police responded with what he called “gallant efforts.” Although lives were lost, he emphasized that the robbers left empty-handed, a testament to the professionalism of his team.

“Even without proper information from the police, we tried our best and should have been applauded. The role of the police during the robbery incident or any other robbery is to counter the robbers, and we do that by engaging the robbers in a shootout (gun battle). That is what happened during the First Bank robbery in Abaji. Regrettably, we lost one of our officers and a civilian.” He called on citizens to provide timely intelligence to prevent future incidents.

Abaji’s story is a microcosm of larger issues plaguing Nigeria’s financial and security infrastructure. As the town waits for its lone bank to reopen, it also waits for a broader reckoning that addresses not just the physical rebuilding of a financial institution but the restoration of a community’s hope and resilience.