Riot Breaks Out In Different Parts Of Lagos Over Naira Scarcity

Some aggrieved persons have taken over some major roads in different parts of Lagos to protest the naira scarcity in the state.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how violence broke out in the Ikorodu area of Lagos and its environs following a riot at Mile 12 on Friday morning.

Mile 12 is a popular food market along Ikorodu Road.

However, the protest has spread to other areas like Agege and Iyana-Iba.

Motorists and residents who were on their way to different places of work hurriedly turned back in panic as rioters burnt tyres on roads, blocking movements.

“Aside Ojota and Mile 12, riot also ongoing at Agege, avoid these areas for now,” an eyewitness wrote on Twitter.

A video posted by someone whose Twitter handle is @Jaynaija also shows burning tyres on the road in Agege.

 

Aside Ojota and Mile 12, Riot also on going at Agege, avoid these areas for now pic.twitter.com/r7o5qthEZv

— JayNaija ⭐️ (@Jaynaija) February 17, 2023

The rioters attributed their actions to the frustrations being faced in banks and filling stations, where queues for fuel have persisted for months.

 

In October 2022, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), announced the plan to redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, and asked Nigerians to deposit their old notes before January 31, 2023, when they would cease to be legal tender.

 

Although the deadline has been shifted to February 10, many Nigerians have found it difficult to obtain the new naira notes.

 

Amid the currency crisis, there has been a steady increase in the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) which has caused long queues at filling stations across the nation.

However, the spokesperson for the Lagos police command, Benjamin Hundeyin in a tweet on Friday said normalcy had been restored to Mile 2 area.

“Free movement of vehicles and people fully restored. Our officers and men are still on ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” he said.