There was tension in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State on Tuesday as one person has been feared killed at the scene of the protest of the scarcity of the new naira notes.
According to reports, the angry residents took to the streets of the state capital to register their displeasure over the hardship the unavailability of the redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 notes have caused.
NIGERIACRIME reported Nigerians have continued to experience nationwide scarcity of the naira, following the redesign of Naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to report, the crisis started at a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in the Asero area of Abeokuta, after customers could not withdraw cash even after they had queued since 4 am.
It was also learnt that operatives of the police in the state repelled an attempt to attack the bank.
An eyewitness, however, claimed that one of the rioters has been shot dead.
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On his part, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, urged residents of the state to remain calm as the authorities are doing everything possible to put the situation under control.
Oyeyemi added that the the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lanre Bankole, has directed the Area Commanders of the affected areas, Panseke, Sapon and Asero, to ensure the riot ends.
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.
When asked if there was any casualty, Oyeyemi said the State Police Command has not received any report of death yet.