Cash Scarcity Sparks Protest in Ibadan

By Fasilat Lawal, Iyabo Adebisi, Dayo Adu

Some aggrieved residents have stormed Iwọ-Road, Agodi axis of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital to display their grievances over the unavailability of the new Naira notes from Automated Teller Machines, ATM and over-the-counter.

The protesters who were mainly youths were seen in their numbers burning tyres, destroying campaign billboards and blocking the Agodi-Iwo -Road axis.

Our correspondent who was at the scene of the event, reports the protest had crippled commercial and business activities in the area as the aggrieved youths turned the road into a football pitch while vehicular movement in the area was at a halt.

Meanwhile, youths armed with dangerous weapons such as iron rods, stones, plastic chairs, and broken bottles, among others were sighted at the entrance of Oyo state Secretariat and blocked a portion of the road linking Bodija to the Secretariat axis with burn fire.

The protesters forced their way into the state Secretariat and headed straight to the governor’s office where one Inspector of police who was on duty at the main entrance of the Governor’s office was injured.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the injured officer was stoned by the angry mobs while trying to prevent them from gaining access to the main governor’s office complex.

It was learnt that the officer has been rushed to the clinic for proper treatment.

The state joint security outfit known as Operation Burst, some police officers, including Amotekun officers were on ground to maintain law and order

Reacting, the Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde on Security Matters, CP. Sunday Odukoya retired appealed for calm noting that their grievances affected everyone.

Mr Odukoya is optimistic that government would soon address the scarcity of new naira notes and other matters affecting the people.

The protest also spread to other parts of the town such as Mokola round about, Queen Cinema where the protesters made burn fire.