Irate Kwara residents stormed some streets on Wednesday to show their grievances over banks’ rejection of old naira notes.

The tension rose in Kwara when commercial banks stopped collecting the old Naira notes from customers, which forced traders to reject the old notes from customers.

The residents in Ilorin began the protest on Wednesday by burning tyres in Oyun, Offa-Garaji, Geri-Alimi and Oloje areas, among others.

In his reaction, police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi said the command in Kwara arrested five suspects over the alleged public disturbances following their involvement in protests on the CBN new naira policy.

He said the command had earlier warned against the protest and public processions under any guise because hoodlums could hijack such unwholesome behaviour.

According to him, the command woke up to an unlawful burning of disused tires on some major roads in Ilorin Metropolitan Area on Wednesday morning.

“In spite of the earlier warning by the command against such unwholesome behaviour by hoodlums in the wake of the Naira note swap. The situation has been brought under control, and normalcy has already been established,” stated Mr Ajayi.

The police officer added, “The commissioner of police in Kwara Command, CP Paul Odama, has ordered aggressive motorised and foot patrols of the city.”

Mr Ajayi advised parents and guardians to tell their children and wards to avoid being used as canon folders by disgruntled political activists, warning that “as anyone arrested in the process of committing any crime, either as a result of the fuel or naira challenges, will be made to face the consequences of such actions alone.”

“Once again, the good people of Kwara State are advised to go about their lawful daily endeavours. Enough security arrangements have been placed across the length and breadth of Kwara state to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and residents,” said the police officer.

He explained that the five suspects arrested during the disturbances would be prosecuted after the investigation.

Angry youths had blocked major roads in Ilorin, burning tyres to protest naira scarcity, with hoodlums allegedly smashing windscreens and mirrors of vehicles. 

(NAN)