ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Following protests emanating from the scarcity of the new naira notes, one person has been feared killed in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
This is as Nigerians continue to experience nationwide scarcity of the redesigned naira notes of N200, N500, and N10,000, introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Also, some areas of Abeokuta witnessed some protests by angry residents as they lament the hardship the situation has subjected them to.
It was learnt that the crisis commenced at a branch of GTbank in Asero area of Abeokuta, where customers had queued since 4 am but could not withdraw cash.
The protesters were said to have attempted to attack the bank but they were repelled by the Police Officers following a prompt intervention.
Channels Television reports that there were bon fires in many areas as Police officers mobilized at strategic areas to maintain law and order.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, called for calm.
He assured that the authorities were bringing the situation under control.
The Police spokesman said the deployment of operatives to the flash points is necessary to prevent hoodlums from looting people’s properties.
According to him, the demonstration is unnecessary as it will aggravate the situation in the state.
“People suppose to exercise patience. This demonstration will just aggravate the situation because when you are demonstrating, the bankers will have fear of being attacked. They will shut down and that will worsen the situation.
“The people of Ogun State should eschew violence. They should endure a little so that the situation will be brought under control.
“Nobody is happy that the scarcity of currency and other things is on. Demonstration cannot bring any solution to it,” the Police spokesman said.
Oyeyemi identified the affected areas as Panseke, Sapon and Asero, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has put all the Area Commanders on red alert as a result of the protest.
When asked if there was any casualty, he said the State Police Command has not received any report of death yet.