Sequel to the naira and fuel scarcity being experienced across the country commercial and social activities have been grounded with pockets of protest in some states.

Webteam@Ipledge2nigeria learned that the extension of the dateline for the naira swap has complicated the entire situation as the banks are not dispensing either new or old notes.

Also, a few individuals with the new naira notes are holding on to it till the dateline

People have to stand endlessly in queues in banks to withdraw cash even as the banks have placed limits on withdrawal to between five to ten thousand. 

Meanwhile, a visit to some of the banks revealed that the majority of people in the queue wanted to withdraw money simply to meet their domestic needs and children’s school expenses.

They, were, however, disappointed that the Automated Teller Machines were not dispensing or given a maximum amount of 20,000 naira cash, while those who managed to enter the banking halls expressed bitterness over their inability to withdraw from the money deposited.

Point Of Sale operators also expressed frustration as they could not withdraw old or new notes from the deposit earlier made before the extension of the deadline.

In some banks, the situation is deteriorating fast as bank customers are going berserk inside the banking halls demanding their funds to take care of urgent needs.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, youths in their hundreds stormed the streets on Friday to protest the current state of the nation over fuel and naira scarcity.

It was gathered that an angry mob raged to the state Secretariat and forced their way into the premises as security personnel who appeared to have been caught unaware at the entrance scampered for safety.

Consequently, one police officer who is a detail at the Governor’s Office by the name, Inspector Dynasty Layemo, was injured by the mob who attempted to gain access to the Governor’s Office.

The police officer had since been taken to an undisclosed hospital for immediate medical attention.

Also, Edo and Enugu states had their fair share of protests against naira and fuel scarcity.

 However, in furtherance of the enforcement of Federal Government’s policy and drives to uphold the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, and dignify Nigeria’s currency, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the commencement of arrests of sellers, abusers and violators of the new naira notes, nationwide.

The IGP has directed “Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau to place officers and men of the Department and the Bureau across the nation on high alert and to arrest and subsequent prosecution of all individuals engaged in the sale or abuse of the Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria”.

“The Inspector-General of Police reiterated the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to enforce all laws and regulations without any prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies.

He urged “all and sundry to cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force as it brings the long arm of the law to bear upon all violators of the provisions of the CBN Act, and other extant statutes in Nigeria, to have a well-policed society in all ramifications within the country.”