Residents of Ibadan metropolis have stormed major roads , protesting against refusal of commercial banks in the city to dispense new redesigned naira notes through the ATMs and over the counter .
The protest which began peacefully at Agodi-Gate axis of Ibadan city, has turned violence in some parts , with the burning of a police station and destruction of public utilities.
An unconfirmed report said the police station at Agodi-Gate has been set on fire, after a confrontation with officers of Operation Burst .
In most areas, roads were blocked , while tyres were set on fire , with thick smokes all over the sky.
Vehicles , okada, tricycles and commercial motor operators were prevented from plying the roads .
In some areas, angry protesters resort to molesting harmless passersby and extorting money .
The situation has forced many banks to hurriedly shut down operations in the city .
There were reports that some banks were attacked by the protesters who were said to have damaged some of the ATM machines.
They warned the government of dire consequences if they failed to quickly address fuel crisis and unavailability of new naira notes.
The scarcity of new naira notes continued to linger with some banks’ staff connivance with POS operators who sell new naira notes.
The protest was fuelled by some bank managers’ failure to repair and ensure that all ATM machines were operational.
The protesters, according to a source were angered when only one out of five ATM machines was working , causing long queue and inconveniences.
The situation took new turn Friday morning when one of the security men of a new generation bank assaulted one of the customers .
” This is what pitched the customers against the bank. That was how the protest started and spread all over ,” the source said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, ( CBN), had few weeks ago introduced the newly redesigned N200, N500 and N1000 denominations across the country.
The apex bank had also directed commercial banks to fill their Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, with the newly redesigned naira notes.
The CBN also gave 31st January, 2023 as the deadline for the exchange of the old bank notes before extending till 10th February.
It has also directed commercial banks to pay customers the new naira notes over the counter.
However, it was learnt that majority of bank customers who went to withdraw money on Friday at various banks in Ibadan could not do so.
Presently , some major roads were deserted , while people were seen with green leaves trekking long distances .
Armed policemen in their patrol vehicles were seen stationed along the road to prevent break down of law and order.
Areas mostly affected by the protest are Agodi Gate, Idi Ape ,Iwo Road , Mokola, Dugbe and Monatan .
