A bloody clash between security operatives and residents in Benin City, Edo State capital on Wednesday reportedly claimed the lives of three persons.
Dozens of residents had gathered at the entrance gate of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Benin City to deposit their old naira notes of N200, N500 and N1,000.
The residents made of youths and women said they were at the bank following the rejection of the currencies by commercial banks, fuel stations and traders.
One of them who simply identified himself as Peter said they have been stranded since they could not spend the old currencies and at the same time, were unable to make withdrawals from their various banks due to cash crunch.
Blueprint gathered that thier anger was fuelled by the shortage of new currency notes; even as many banks did not open for business on Wednesday.
Besides, dozens of banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATM) were not dispensing cash as at the time of filing this report.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday ruled out further extension of the deadline stipulated for the phasing out of the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes.
Though the APex bank had directed vulnerable Nigerians to deposit their old currencies at its States offices, however, the CBN office in Benin City was yet to begin the collection as at 10.am on Wednesday.
The development prompted angry residents to lay siege at the bank’s entrance gate and insisted on exchanging the old notes with the redesigned currencies.
However, what started as a peaceful demand afterwards degenerated into a chaos after security operatives reportedly fired gunshots to disperse the crowd.
Three persons were said to have been feared dead in the melee that ensued thereafter.
The development soon led into a full blown violent protest in different parts of the Benin metropolis as bonfires were lit on major roads.
As the news of the dead spread, irrate youths attacked some commercial banks and also destroyed their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
The youths also set fires on Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) on Akpakpava road in Benin City.
The State Police spokesman, SP. Chidi Nwabuzor, who commented on the development, said: “Yes, I know there are protests that are thug infested.
“Our men and other security agents are ready to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property.
“The police are handling the whole incident professionally and will put a stop to it.
“And as for the question of whether individuals were shot, it’s too early to comment on this until we receive accurate information from our men on ground.
“There are many information trending on the internet. But it would not be appropriate for me to work on it.”
