Fuel and Cash Scarcity Bites in Imo as Some Banks Are Closed

The paucity of petroleum products has struck Imo State once more, causing discontent among the state’s population.

This came as the state government purportedly shut down three commercial banks for participating in a sit-in called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the unconditional release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from incarceration.

See also Sit-At-Home; “Our South-East is about to be destroyed”-Dave Umahi.

This is despite the fact that residents, care owners, businessmen and women, and others have begun to swarm various filling stations in the capital city in quest of fuel.

Online reports show that, while a number of filling stations had stopped operations, the handful that remained open had changed their pump prices, offering N250 per litre.

See also Sit-At-Home; Gunmen Kill 4,Burn Houses in Imo.

Long lines of automobiles on the roadways formed as a result of the development, as people scrambled to purchase the product.

Roadside hawkers of the product, who sell it in little Jerry cans, have now taken advantage of the situation in order to earn quick money.

Although there were contradictory stories as to what caused the recent scarcity, unconfirmed sources told our correspondent that the squabble was caused by a disagreement between independent marketers and the state government over the state government’s severe policies.

The Nigerian tribune reported that the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, failed to respond when they tried to contact him.

Similarly, the state government allegedly sealed some banks in Imo State on Tuesday for participating in the state’s sit-at-home order on Monday.

See also IPOB Declares Sit-at-home Every Monday Until Nnamdi Kanu is Released.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, while some were allowed to operate, others, such as Access, First Bank, and others, were barred from doing so as a punishment for participation in IPOB’s sit-at-home edict.

The scenario caused commotion and the presence of an extraordinary number of worried consumers in the banks.When called, Chief Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, stated that he was in a meeting where they were discussing Mr. President’s visit to the state.