Protests over the scarcity of the new redesigned Naira notes erupted in Udu, near Warri, Delta state’s commercial city, as angry youths burned a commercial bank, destroyed automated Teller Machines, and blocked a major highway to express their frustration over the inability to assess the new legal tender and rejection of the old notes.
The protest started in Orhuwhorun junction before spreading to the expressway as a commercial bank was set ablaze, while others were vandalised by the mob who hauled stones and other objects at the bank premises, leaving customers to scamper for safety.
Meanwhile, the Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has appealed to citizens of the state and Nigerians to remain calm amidst scarcity of the new naira notes in the country.
The governor’s appeal is coming on the heels of protests by some citizens of the state at Orhuwhorun Community in Udu Local Government Area of the state where a bank’s ATM gallery was reportedly torched.
Governor Okowa’s appeal was contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba.
He called on the people to remain calm while also appealing to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the monetary authorities to take further steps in increasing the money supply in the system.
