THERE were demonstrations in some parts of Lagos State, yesterday, with residents, mostly youths, protesting in Mile 12, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba and Ojota against the scarcity of new naira and rejection of the notes by commercial banks, filling stations and even courts, as well as commercial buses.
Although security agencies promptly brought the situation under control by dispersing the protesters, but that was not before some of them had caused some damages, destroying tables and kiosks of petty traders, while setting burn-fires in the middle of the roads to obstruct vehicular movement.
In Agege, what was initially reported as a protest was actually a fight broke out between a food vendor who rejected the old naira notes and a customer over payment in old naira notes.
At Ikeja, Oshodi, Mile 2 and Ojota, virtually all transporters insisted that only passengers with new naira notes or N200 notes should board the bus.
Reacting to the protest, the Lagos State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu believed there should be no need for violence, as the Supreme Court was already looking into the matter and would make its position known on February 22.
“Lagos State has since joined the legal dispute, all in the interest of our people, in the belief that the highest court in the land has the capacity to adjudicate on the matter. The fuel situation is easing following some steps taken by government.
“Government praises Lagosians for showing understanding, despite the pains the Federal Government’s measures have brought. Residents should continue to be law-abiding by shunning any form of incitement by mischief-makers.
“Mr. Governor is working with his colleagues to ensure that this hardship does not go on,” Omotoso said.
