Some Nigerians on Wednesday threatened to shut down a Nigerian bank branch in Lagos over poor network service and the inability to carry out financial transactions.

The incident occurred at the Iyana Itire branch of Sterling Bank on Oshodi-Isolo axis in Lagos State.

Some customers who expressed their dismay at the bank’s gate said that if their money was not credited to their accounts within the next 24 hours, the bank would be shut down.

“These people have used our money to do business; they have lent it out. Now they are lying to us that it is hanging. If I don’t get my money after the promised 24 hours, the police will have to arrest me here,” one customer told The Guardian.

Another customer further alleged that he had been to the bank on Monday and returned on Wednesday, yet nothing had been done.

He added that the bank’s response had always been the same, and his business had been affected by the bank’s challenges.

The challenge came at a time when Nigerians are also finding it hard to access fuel and transportation, coupled with rising expenses.

Another customer, who simply identified himself as Rashidi, while speaking to the Guardian, said, “This money is mine, not Tinubu’s. I have no fuel, and now this useless bank still holds my money. Do you want to kill us?”

However, a customer care service representative at the bank, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorised to speak on the incident, said the current difficulties being experienced by customers are not something the bank is unaware of.

She explained that the bank is currently upgrading some of its , adding that the upgrade will soon be completed.

“We are aware of the current circumstances, but we are doing everything possible to ensure every one of our customers has access to their money. The bank is carrying out some important upgrades. All we can say is, please be patient,” she said.

She, however, urged the customers to be patient and give them a further 24 hours to rectify all situations, calling for a calmer environment within the bank’s vicinity

Meanwhile, The bank had informed its customers about the upgrade, a message from the bank shown to a Guardian correspondent by a customer showed.

The message read in part: “We’re sorry for the disruptions following our recent system upgrade. We’re working hard to restore services, and thank you for your patience.”