Three people have been shot and killed during a protest and attempted invasion of the Benin City branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the rejection of the old naira notes.
As a result of the rejection of the old naira by banks, fuel stations, and markets, it was reported that a number of residents flocked to the apex bank’s entrance early on Wednesday to exchange their old naira.
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When the residents of Benin City arrived at the CBN’s entrance to deposit their old currency, they were enraged to see a Toyota Hilux entering the branch. They then began throwing stones at the building. When the security agencies attached to the bank could no longer resist the protesters, they fired teargas and gunshots to disperse the group of protesters.
The protesters, armed with sticks and other weapons, attacked commercial banks and their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the city of Benin, outraged by the circumstances.
Later, residents from streets adjacent to the bank in Benin, such as Sakponba Road, joined the tense situation and relocated to other areas, including Siluko and Ogida.
One of the protesters claimed that government officials wanted to collect new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), so they became enraged and decided to stop them.
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According to him, the police responded by firing tear gas and bullets into the air, resulting in the deaths of three people.
The spokesperson for the Edo State police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, stated that he had not yet been briefed on the information.
In Benin City, security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, police, and prisons armed squad, have staffed Oba Ovonramwen square, also known as ring road, and the Benin Correctional Centre located on Sapele road.
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