Heavy Gunshots As Protesters Burn Banks, Cars Over Old Naira Notes In Delta

By Ovie Okpare

There is serious tension in Udu, Effurun and some parts of Warri in Delta State as protesters on Wednesday took to the streets to protest the scarcity of the new naira notes and rejection of the old notes in the state.

It was gathered that at least three commercial banks including Union Bank and Diamond Bank had been set ablaze by angry protesters especially in the Udu area of the state.

But owning to the swift intervention of the banks and security agencies deployed to restore normalcy to the troubled area.

No fewer than four vehicles have also been razed by the protesters in and around the Udu Express Junction and Ovwian area of Udu.

However, there were heavy gunshots by soldiers and policemen drafted to protect several banks in Udu, Effurun and Warri.

The protesters also barricaded the popular Udu Express Junction and Orhuwhorun Roundabout in Udu to prevent vehicle movement in the area.

Sources told our correspondent that the bank customers took to protest after the banks refused to issue the new naira notes to those who had besieged the banks for cash.

The incident led to palpable tension in Warri, Udu and Effurun cities as all banks in the areas have been shut down.

Commercial shops and offices around the troubled areas have also shut businesses leading to apprehension.

Checks by our correspondent observed that the various Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in Udu, Effurun and Warri were not dispensing cash prior to the protest.

Shop owners, filling stations and transporters have also stopped collecting the old naira notes from customers.

However, at the time of filing the report, no fatality has been recorded from the protest.

But confirming the protest to journalists, the state police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, said only two vehicles were set ablaze by the protesters.