••• Protests Rock Nigerian Cities
•••Angry Traders, Youths Vandalize Nine Banks In Benin
Protesters Burn Down Access Bank Branch In Warri
The anger and frustration over the scarcity of the new Naira notes got to a boiling point on Wednesday with youths taking to the streets in violent protests in some cities in Nigeria on Wednesday.
Violent protests occasioned by massive destruction and burning of bank buildings were recorded in Warri, Delta State, Benin, Edo State, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Ilorin Kwarra State and Ondo City, Ondo.
A combined team of police operatives and the men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp shot dead three protesters in Benin.
The Network gathered that the three youths were gunned down by armed policemen at the busy Ring Road in Benin while attempting to attack the Benin Branch of the Central Bank at Akpakpava on Wednesday.
The angered crowd went wild and vented their frustration and aggression on nine banks and ATM points in the city.
Some of the banks affected are Sterling Bank, UBA, GTB, Access, Zenith, Stanbic IBTC, Eco Bank, Sterling Bank and others.
The protesters in their large number blocked the popular Ring Road, Akpakpava Road, Ramat Park, Five Junction by Urubi, Ugbowo road, Ekehuna road and other adjoining streets which caused heavy traffic gridlock in the city.
Soldiers and security operatives were quickly deployed to quell the mayhem.
Speaking on the incident, a citizen . Godwin Osemwingie, expressed the shock that commercial banks and the even the CBN in Benin were rejecting the old notes.
He wondered how the government wants people to survive with the current difficulties associated with the CBN Naira redesign policy.
He said, “The problem right now is that we went to bank to deposit my old naira notes, they said they are not accepting it and even the bus drivers are also rejecting it.
“You cannot buy anything. I just went to the Bank, look at the money (displaying the old naira noted before our correspondent), this is Nigeria money and they are rejecting it. How do they want us to survive? We can’t buy and we can’t sell.
“Even the CBN has rejected the old money from us, why? That is why we are protesting. Look, all these money in my hands are now wasted. We can’t even board vehicle now. We need our old money back. I am going to Upper Sakponba and I want to trek to the place now, no money.”
Several others who responded said that the CBN has driven people to a level of desperation while could be dangerous if steps are not taken to address the grim situation.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor when contacted said it was premature for him to speak on the subject matter.
In the neighbouring Warri youths went on rampage, at Audu, destroying automated teller machines of banks in the area in protest of nationwide cash crunch.
The angry youths vandalized the Access bank ATMs before setting the Orhuwhorum branch on fire.
They also destroyed the ATMs of First Bank at Udu.
The rioters took over Orhuwhorum junction, which spread to Express junction axis of the metropolis in protest against the shortage of Naira notes as well as hike in fuel pump price.
The protesters made bonfires at various junctions, particularly the ever-busy Orhuwhorum junction and Express Junctions.
Bank workers and early customers were said to have fled the scene before the riot broke out.
In Ibadan, Oyo State capital and visibly aggrieved residents were seen chanting war songs calling for the removal of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over the hardship being faced by Nigerians.
Our Correspondent gathered that the protesters made bonfires and blocked Ologuneru, Sango Polytechnic Road, Eleyele, and Mokola roundabout in Ibadan.
However, armed policemen and soldiers were spotted at the affected areas on Wednesday as the protesters, mainly youths marched in solidarity chanting anti-Emefile songs and dancing.
Similar protests took place at Akure Park, Ondo Town in Ondo State over the lingering Naira scarcity.
The protesters made bonfires on major roads leading to a heavy gridlock on the highway.
Also, protesters in Ilorin, Kwara State blocked major roads to protest the rejection of the old Naira notes by traders in Oloje and Oko-Olowo areas of the State capital.
