As tensions over the growing cash crunch continued, the oldest branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in Area 3, Garki District shut out its customers; but in Benin City, it was a different ball game as protesters in the Edo State capital went gaga and set two commercial banks on fire.
The growing anger in the country, exacerbated by the rigid position of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) refusal to budge on its February 10, 2023 as deadline for the use of old Naira notes. The Supreme Court had ordered the use of old notes and new notes for now, while the National Council of State advised in the same direction.
There were reports of the protesters seeking to build their number to head for CBN office in the state capital.
In Abuja, a UBA customer sent his blow-by-blow account of what transpired in the Area 3, Garki branch before he rushed to another branch.
▪︎”No official of the bank came to address theScarcity of Naira forces Abuja UBA branch to shut out customers as two banks on fire in Benin & Ibadan boils customers who were already displeased and raging due to the refusal of the bank officials to speak to the customers
▪︎”At 8:30am, two armed policemen came out of the bank to speak to customers to calm down.
▪︎”UBA Area 3, Garki, closed its gate to customers at 8:45am on Wednesday, 15th February, 2023. The bank, 24 hours ago, was sending valentine messages to its bank customers, thanking them and promising them heaven on earth.
▪︎ “At 9:00am on Wednesday, 15th February, 2023, the branch manager of Area 3 Branch of UBA in the Federal Capital Territory, Amaka, led two bank officers to address the customers that an insignificant money was given to the bank and would be loaded on the bank’s ATM.
“She stated that the bank won’t open today as its systems were not working due to outage and faulty generator.”
Below is a video of the drama that played out at UBA:
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that protesters blocked major roads within Ibadan metropolis over the scarcity of fuel, new naira notes and the rejection of the old notes by commercial banks and commercial outlets.
The protests, which were still spreading, affected some areas like Iwo Road, Bodija, Mokola, Eleyele/Eruwa Road, Gbopa, Ologuneru, Apete, Challenge and Orita roads.
According to reports, the protests resulted in traffic gridlocks in the affected areas, forcing commuters to take to their legs and drivers seeking alternative roads to their destinations.
The protesters, who were mostly youths, were seen burning tyres on the roads, while motorists were hurriedly making u-turns to avoid being caught up in the protest.
Most of the motorists plying the roads in the affected areas were seen displaying leaves conspicuously in front of their vehicles as a show of solidarity with the protesters.
At Iwo road, some suspected hoodlums were seen harassing motorists, tricycle and motorcycle riders as well as passers-by, while traders hurriedly closed their shops to prevent looting.
Sources said that the protests around Eleyele/Ologuneru axis of the capital city were led by transporters.
Witnesses at the scenes said that the transporters were obstructing free flow of vehicular and pedestrian movements around the axis.
Some of the transporters said that they were out to protest the non-availability of cash as well as the rejection of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes by passengers and filling stations.
The protesters called on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgently address the situation, as they could no longer stand watching their livelihood being threatened.
However, men of the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun and other security agencies were seen stationed at different strategic locations of the metropolis to prevent breakdown of law and order.