The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says its anti-sit-at-home and confidence-building operation in Awka, Anambra, is yielding positive results.

The commandant, Olatunde Maku, said on Wednesday in Awka that the operations began on February 12.

Mr Maku said, “A critical aspect of our core mandate is protection of lives and property and making the citizens to sleep with their two eyes closed. That is why Gov. Chukwuma Soludo beckoned on us to help to protect bank facilities so that businesses can thrive on Mondays.

“We answered the clarion call, and you can see that banks are now open for business on Mondays in Awka. The number of banks operating in Awka metropolis is within the range of 25, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.’’

Mr Maku said that three banks opened for business in the first week of the operation.

“By the second week, the number grew to seven. On the third week, it increased to 15, and by the fourth week, 20 banks opened,’’ he said.

Mr Maku added that 25 banks opened optimally for business in the fifth week, and by the sixth, seventh, and eighth weeks of operation, all the banks were still operating at optimal levels.

He also mentioned that other businesses in Awka had started operating optimally on Mondays. According to Mr Maku, customers no longer use the back door to enter banks in Awka on Mondays.

“Markets and offices that were closed on Mondays are now open and operating. The confidence of residents has increased.

“Today, on the streets of Awka, people can move around freely on Mondays without fear of molestation.

“To God be the glory, the operation is yielding positive results,” he said. 

(NAN)