The scarcity of new naira notes, which has been a subject of discussion across major towns and cities in Nigeria, took another dimension on Friday when customers took to major streets in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to protest.
It was gathered that bank customers in Ibadan have been finding it difficult to withdraw money.
It will be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had a few weeks ago introduced the newly redesigned N200, N500 and N1000 denominations across the country.
The apex bank had also directed commercial banks to fill their Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, with the newly redesigned naira notes.
The CBN also extended deadline to February for the exchange of the old bank notes before. It was January 31st before m
It has also directed commercial banks to pay customers the new naira notes over the counter.
It was learnt that majority of the bank customers who went to withdraw money on Friday at various banks in Ibadan could not do so.
This sparked protests in some parts of Ibadan.
Some of the areas where the customers are currently protesting are Agodi Gate, Idi Ape and Iwo Road.
The protesters burnt several tyres so to register their displeasure.
A resident of Gate who spoke with newsmen said that the protesters were protesting their inability to withdraw money from the banks.
“Protests are currently ongoing at Gate and Iwo Road as I speak with you. They are burning tyres now,” he said.
A resident of Iwo Road also confirmed that the protest is ongoing.
“Yes. There is a protest here. People are currently protesting at Iwo Road over inability to collect their money from banks,” he also said.
