Breaking News Ogun Protest Naira Note
Again, Ogun State has seen protests over the lack of naira, with online videos of two banks being set on fire in the Sagamu region.
According to reports, the violence began as early as 8 a.m. on Monday due to the alleged cessation of bank operations, with ATMs reportedly not dispensing cash since last week.
In the videos that were circulated on Monday, numerous residents could be seen watching as some young people held planks in protest as Keystone and Union banks were set on fire.
The protesters blocked the Sagamu-Benin expressway with bonfires, preventing people and vehicles from moving through it.
Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remo, has urged calm.
“I appeal to all to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to engage the Federal Government,” read a statement from the palace.
“This approach isn’t from the state or nearby government. As a result, a precarious situation will only get worse if lives and property are lost.
“I urge our people to continue accepting the old notes in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court.” Anyone who accepts the previous notes would gain. That’s what I can guarantee, so please keep my word.
In addition, I am requiring all of our market representatives to continue accepting the previous notes. I guarantee that no one will be hurt by having the old notes.
The PUNCH had reported on Friday of last week that there had been a protest in the Mowe-Ibafo area of Ogun State, with many residents blocking the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in protest of the problems and hardships brought on by the persistent shortage of the naira.
@arranowanna, a user on Twitter, wrote in response to the development, “Kindly advise your friends, families, and acquaintances to avoid any protests.” Bring your dissatisfaction to the Saturday ballots. Banks, gas stations, and government properties should not be burned.
“I just put a call through to the house and it was confirmed to me that keystone bank and union bank at ijoku has been set ablaze by angry citizens,” wrote another user, @morningstar_305.
“If you are in Sagamu, be careful cos there is a protest on new naira notes,” wrote popular Twitter user Pooja.
Meanwhile, on Thursday last week, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.), the President, In a national broadcast, it was stated that the old N500 and N1,000 notes were no longer valid as currency in the country. However, the old N200 note was given a 60-day extension until April 10, 2023.
At the time of the filing of this report, neither text messages nor phone calls to Bola Oyeyemi, the state police public relations officer, were returned.
