Naira Redesign: Crisis rocks Sagamu over cash scarcity
……..Police arrest over 30
…..Protesters invade LG secretariat, cart away mace
……..Ogun Govt reacts
Youths in Sagamu went on the rampage on Monday morning, following their inability to withdraw cash from any Bank or Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
As early as 8am, the angry youths took to the streets to show their displeasure.
The angry reaction from the youths followed the inability of banks and their ATM to dispense cash soon after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered them to recirculate the old N200 notes.
With bonfires, the protesters barricaded the Sagamu-Benin expressway and other routes, preventing human and vehicular movements.
The Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, has called for calm.
A statement signed by the Oba read: “I appeal to all to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to engage the Federal Government.
“This policy is not from the State or local government. Therefore, the destruction of lives and properties will only compound an already bad situation.
“I urge our people to continue to accept the old notes in line with the Supreme Court ruling. No person who accepts the old notes would lose out. I can assure you of that, and please hold on to that promise.”
“Further, I am also mandating all our market people to continue to accept the old notes. I hereby undertake that no one will lose out for possessing the old notes.”
Meanwhile, normalcy seems to have been restored in the Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State after a violent protest that rocked the town early on Monday over scarcity of fuel and the new naira notes.
Banks and business premises were attacked and set ablaze, cars looted and burnt, as shops were forced to remain under lock and key.
According to the state Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, who led his men and soldiers to the scene, 30 suspects have been arrested in connection with the unrest.
Residents claim the violence started around 5:30 am while law-abiding citizens were still sleeping.
Most affected was Oba Erinwole Road where about seven branches of commercial banks were attacked and ATM machines vandalised and looted, leaving the Sagamu neighbourhood as a shadow of itself.
Hoodlums also broke the wall of a bank’s branch in an attempt to gain access into the banking hall and the strong room.
It took the intervention of a combined team of the police led by the Commissioner of Police and men of the Nigerian Army to put the violent protests in checks from escalating.
In the wake of the violent protest which disrupted the otherwise peaceful town, 30 suspects were said to have been arrested inside one of the banks.
Mba warned against violent protests, an action he said would compound the already fragile situation in the country.
Though relative normalcy has been restored, men and officers of the command have since been deployed to strategic locations in the area to ensure law and order prevails.
Protesters invade LG secretariat, cart away mace
The violent protest earlier reported in Sagamu, Ogun State, took another dimension as the protesters invaded the Sagamu Local Government secretariat in Sagamu, and carted away the mace of the council’s legislative house.
Reacting to the incident, a youth leader in the town, Kayode Segun-Okeowo condemned the development.
Oke-Owo described the act as a “motivated destruction and not a protest.”
“This is not a protest. I’m a comrade and understand the ABC of protest. It’s motivated to cause destruction.
“Those behind this must be stopped.”
The protesters later advanced to the council secretariat, invaded offices and made away with the mace.
The protesters were reported to have shattered windows and broken doors at the secretariat.
The council chairman, Afolabi Odulate, confirmed the development.
“Yes, they did invade the secretariat. No one was attacked. We had moved workers away before they arrived here.
“They stole the mace. Yes, they did, ” Odulate said.
He, however, said normalcy had returned as police and soldiers had taken the community.
