Old Naira Notes: One Feared Dead in Benin as Heavy Protests Rock Benin, Delta, Over Rejection
Protests in parts of the country have continued to rock heavy over the rejection of the old naira notes in banks as daily transactions become stalled.
On Tuesday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele rejected the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Naira swap policy. He maintained that there was no need to extend the February 10 deadline.
This, however, has caused pandemonium in the country as citizens are left confused about what to do.
According to The Pendulum Media’s Correspondent, eyewitnesses in Benin claimed that aside from the destruction and burning of banks, and Automated Teller Machines, ATMs of First and Access Banks in Benin and Delta states respectively by the angry protesters, the Police had also opened fire on protesters leading to the death of one in the process.
In a conversation with a resident, Mr. Nosa Ambrose, he said many are protesting because their daily transactions are becoming difficult and banks are also rejecting the old notes.
He said, “Nobody is collecting the old notes, if I collect them now, who will accept them from me, eh? Even if people are not collecting it, Banks should collect and give us the new notes now.
There is no business, everywhere is dry, no money for the bank, old money plenty for people’s hands. E don useless. Who will collect it? Abeg, that’s why people are angry, we are protesting.”
Moreover, market women were also seen protesting and chasing the few public buses away from the roads as a way of airing their grievances
It was gathered that Union Bank in Udu Delta state has also been shut down and many POS agents with the old naira notes are now distraught.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court earlier on Wednesday said its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes still subsist.
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