Naira Scarcity: Violent protests continue in Oyo, Lagos

Violent protests continue on Friday morning over naira scarcity in Ibadan and Lagos leading to unspecified number of casualties.

Reports said, security agents are controlling the situation in order to de-escalate the crisis.

Friday’s crisis followed several protests that have taken place in Oyo, Lagos, Benin, Delta and other States after baknotes scarcity hit the nation.

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the use of old N200 notes, but was heavily criticised by
APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and some state governors.

While opposing the naira swap policy, the governors said, President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to obey the Supreme Court’s order to allow old naira notes to be used as legal tender concurrently with the new notes.

Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Bello Matawalle, Yahaya Bello and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, among others are urging their citizens to disregard Mr Buhari’s and CBN’s directive.

Oyo News’ checks revealed chaos at Iwo-road, Iyana-church, Mile 12, Iyana Iba, Ikorodu and Agege, left commuters stranded at the bus stops and highways.

There was reported riots in Iwo-road, Ibadan, along the Express road, on Friday as youths mounted blockages on the roads.

Also at Ketu, Lagos, gunfire was also reported, as a video seen online showed commuters scampering for safety after shots were fired.

Witnesses claimed that scarcity of the new naira notes and its attendant economic hardship was the major cause of the riots across the state on Friday.