Three dead as security agencies foil attack on CBN in Benin

By Jethro Ibileke

A protest by angry residents in Benin, capital of Edo State over the rejection of old naira notes has turned bloody, as three persons have been reportedly killed.

The protesters had reportedly attempted to invade the Benin branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that some residents in the early hours of Wednesday besieged the gate of the apex bank to swap their old naira due to the rejection of the notes by banks, fuel stations and market places.

But, upon arriving the CBN’s gate to deposit their old notes, the residents became furious after they saw a Toyota Hilux entering the CBN, and resorted to throwing stones.

Security operatives who could no longer resist the protesters, were said to have fired teargas and gunshots to disperse the group of protesters so as to restore sanity to the area.

Aggrieved with the situation, the protesters, who carried sticks and other weapons attacked some commercial banks and their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) around the axis where the apex bank is located.

The protest was later amplified when residents from adjoining streets such as Sakponba road joined the tensed up situation, moved to other areas, including Siluko and Ogida.

One of the protesters alleged that it was government officials that wanted to collect new notes from the CBN, hence they were angry and decided to stop them.

He said the police responded by firing tear gas and bullets in the air and in the process three people were killed.

The State Police Command spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, could not confirm the report, saying that he was yet to be briefed.