At least 9 suspects connected to the burning of three banks in Delta State have been taken into custody by operatives of the Delta State Police Command.
Recall that some angry bank customers on Wednesday burned some bank buildings and vehicles in the state over the non-availability of new naira notes.
The angry customers stormed the banks, located around Express Junction in Udu LGA and in Warri, the state capital, chanting solidarity songs while marching through streets.
They bore placards with different inscriptions, made bonfires and blocked major roads, shutting down economic activities in affected areas.
However, giving an update on the issue, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, described the suspects as “unguided youths and miscreants”
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“We have arrested nine suspects so far. Some persons will still call this protest,” said Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe.
The operatives from the Ovwian/Aladja Division, assisted by other units, raided the environs of affected financial institutions.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the deadline for the use of N500 and N1000 old notes stands, even as he extends the restoration of the old N200 notes as legal tender.
This follows weeks of crisis due to the scarcity of the new naira note which was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, the president said he has directed the apex bank to re-circulate the old N200 till April 10 to ease the stress of citizens.
Buhari said, “To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation.
“And that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10 2023 when the old N200 notes cease to be legal tender.”