There is gunfire and mayhem across Lagos Friday morning, with reports that an unspecified number of casualties are already recorded as the police say they are bringing the situation under control.

This is coming amid APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and some state governors’ opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to obey the Supreme Court’s order to allow old naira notes to be used as legal tender concurrently with the new notes. Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Bello Matawalle, Yahaya Bello and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, among others. The governors are urging their citizens to disregard Mr Buhari’s and CBN’s directive.

Peoples Gazette’s checks revealed chaos at Mile 12, Iyana Iba, Ikorodu and Agege, with commuters left stranded at the bus stops and highways.  

There was reported pandemonium in Mile 12 market, along Ikorodu road, on Friday as traders allegedly insisted on new naira notes before they could transact business in the market.

Gunfire was also reported at Ketu and Ojo, as a video seen online showed commuters scampering for safety after shots were fired.

Witnesses claimed that scarcity of the new naira notes and its attendant economic hardship was the major cause of the violence across the state on Friday. 

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a tweet that security operatives were deployed to manage the situation in Mile 12 and Ojota. 

“It is true. Our men are there. Reinforcement units have been deployed. Stay safe out there as we closely monitor and manage the situation,” he said. 

He added that officials have intervened and motorists can now move freely to their destinations. 

“Free movement of vehicles and people fully restored. Our officers and men are still on the ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” Mr Hundeyin said in a tweet on Friday.