Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Banks and some major businesses in Ebonyi State are under locks in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State on Thursday even as the nationwide protest failed to hold in Ebonyi State.
The city remained scanty at the time of this report out of fear although security agencies and the state government assured of their security.
Most banks visited by Our Reporter around 10am along tte popular water works and Ogoja road were under lock.
They include Access Bank, UBA, Union Bank, Zenith Bank and First Bank.
The Automated Teller Machines(ATMs) of the banks were however in operation.
At UBA bank along Ogoja Road some customers were seen in front of the locked gate stranded.
One of the customers who spoke on condition of anonymity said he came to the bank to apply for a new ATM card but the bank staff told them to go home.
Popular fast food joints like Chicken Republic along Water Walks, major Shopping mall, Roban Stores at Mile 50 area, and major phone company, Fine Brothers and others, were also under lock.
Some filling stations opened but later many of them started closing up. It was not immediately clear why they took the action.
Security agencies were on constant patrol round the city while many others were stationed at strategic points across the city.
Two armoured personnel career and patrol vans were stationed in front of the old government house with a strong detachment of policemen.
The policemen all tied red pieces of cloth on their arms.
However, there was no sign of any protesters anywhere in the city at the time of this report.