The Zamfara government has threatened to revoke the land ownership of banks hoarding the new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.

This is according to a statement on Tuesday by Governor Bello Matawalle’s media aide, Jamilu Birnin-Magaji.

In the statement, Mr Matawalle cautioned the banks against worsening people’s suffering.

The statement said the governor spoke on Monday during an unscheduled visit to the Gusau branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and five other banks to assess the hardship citizens face in obtaining the new naira banknotes.

According to the statement, the governor was upset by the long queues at ATMs amid acute scarcity and hopelessness in Zamfara.

The governor visited CBN Gusau branch headquarters, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Jaiz, Eco and First Bank.

“Matawalle, during the visit, warned the managements of the banks to desist from the bad practice of hoarding the new naira notes,” said the statement. “Earlier, at CBN, the governor urged the branch controller of CBN to ensure the availability of new naira notes at the commercial banks for people to access their money to conduct their daily activities with relative ease.”

It added, “Matawalle invited the controller of CBN, Gusau branch, to accompany him to some branches of the banks in the state capital to assess the obnoxious situation.”

(NAN)