Some commercial banks in Sagamu area of Ogun State have been vandalised on Monday morning, following protests by irate youth over the lingering scarcity of Naira notes in the country.
Reports say Union, Keystone Zenith and Access banks were either partly burned or destroyed.
At least four banks, including a local government secretariat, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Ibadan Distribution Electric Company, IBDEC offices at different locations were affected.
CASEFILE gathered that residents were running for safety while some youths were seen holding planks in protest of the woes and hardship caused by the lingering scarcity of the Naira.
However, the Ogun State Police Commissioner of Police, CP. Frank Mba, says normalcy has returned to the state shortly after he led Police personnel with support of the military to restore peace and order.
Meanwhile, SP. Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer has onfirmed the arrest of 24 suspects.
Meanwhile, a traditional ruler, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi called for calm and peace. He is confident that critical stakeholders are engaging the Federal Government.
In a press statement credited to the monarch, he said the old notes should be accepted by people as legal tender in the domain.
“This policy is not from the state or local government. Therefore, the destruction of lives and properties will only compound an already bad situation.
“I urge our people to continue to accept the old notes in line with the Supreme Court ruling. No person who accepts the old notes would lose out. I can assure you of that, and please hold on to that promise.”
“Further, I am also mandating all our market people to continue to accept the old notes. I hereby undertake that no one will lose out for possessing the old notes.”
The country has known protest since last week, where protesters have taken to the streets in many states, with unpleasant results.
In Delta State, two banks were attacked. In Benin City, Edo State capital, two banks were also attacked by angry youths, where attempt was made to break into Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, but were truncated by both police and soldiers.
Four persons were said to have died in Benin City during the mayhem.
Also in Ibadan, Oyo State capital and in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, violent protests disrupted businesses, shops were forced to close. In Port Harcourt a bank was attacked.
The protest was also replicated at Ketu, Mile 12, Ojota, Ikorodu, and at Agege areas of Lagos.
The trigger of the protesters are paucity of fuel and especially scarcity of redesigned Naira notes, causing untold hunger and hardship on Nigerians.
