Violent protests and other forms of reactions are witnessed in some areas as many Nigerians kick against the Naira notes swap policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Sporadic gun shots were heard along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as the situation worsens.
In lbadan, the Oyo State capital, residents again expressed their displeasure on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that the old N200 notes be returned to circulation.
They protested along the Lagos lbadan express way.
One of the protesters said he was coming from the expressway and heading to Soka, but he met the road block and protesters just before Soka junction.
A passerby said the problem is not the government but rather the citizens
Some other parts of Ibadan, including Iwo Road have also been blocked by protesters with sporadic gun shots heard.
Pandemonium broke in some parts of Lagos in the early hours of Friday, as some aggrieved persons suspected to be hoodlums stormed major roads in protest of the naira scarcity n the state.
Recall that similar incidents were earlier recorded in Edo, Oyo, and Ogun States, with several casualties.
The protesters stormed Mile-12, Ketu, Ojota area, along Ikorodu Road, Iyana-around 6. am before it spread to other areas like Agege and Iyana-Iba.
Motorists and residents who were on their way to different places of work hurriedly turned back in panic as the rioters went berserk with bonfires set across the road.
Vehicles coming from Ìkoròdù could not go beyond Mile 12 bridge as they hurriedly made U-turns to their destinations.
Though, the presence of the combined Military and the Policemen of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, at the scene did not deter the protesters as they engaged the security men in confrontation.
However, most vehicles were turned back to Ikorodu including Bus Rapid Transit, BRT buses.
Vanguard reported that public buses are not working in Igando.
Presently, the areas have been thrown into chaos as Policemen battled to restore normalcy in the areas.
Similarly, passengers are currently stranded in Ikotun because buses and other forms of transit do not accept old naira notes.
Breezynews correspondent observed some passengers lamenting the difficulties the implementation of the naira policy has brought about.
According to a passenger who described her ordeal;
“I was absolutely stranded two days ago and had no money. I had to go out and purchase the old naira note for a particular amount in order to get myself to work today, and I’m not able to use it anymore.”
A bus driver added that fuel stations no longer accept old notes, thus they are now only accepting new ones when transporting passengers.
