Four people including a nursing mother were killed and many others injured as security operatives opened fire on protesters who had gathered at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Benin City, Edo State. It was gathered that the demonstrators had blocked the entrance to the CBN office as they protested the scarcity of the new naira notes. Three persons lay dead after the skirmish, while the nursing mother was hit while standing at the ATM spot. Residents angered by the refusal of banks, petrol stations and market women to collect the old notes had stormed the CBN off at Akpakpava Street. They became more agitated when a suspected government vehicle, according to one of the protesters, was coming to collect cash and made its way to the entrance. The situation degenerated and the police responded with tears gas and live ammunition
A protester, Godwin Osemwingie, told Daily Trust that three people died while others sustained injuries. “The problem right now is that I went to the bank to deposit my old naira notes, they said they are not accepting it and even the bus drivers are also rejecting it,” he said.
Meanwhile Edo State government which filed a suit in support of the CBN and Federal government cash swap policy has called on security agents to arrest former governor Adams Oshiomhole for instigating the violence in Benin City. “We have been around the city all day, speaking with some of the protesters and we have done our investigations. We discovered that it is more than meets the eye,” said Chris Nehikare who is Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. “At this juncture, we will like to call on security agencies to call Adams Oshiomhole for questioning. He should be arrested and made to account for his movement in the last few days especially here in Benin City. Oshiomhole deliberately instigated the protest of the people,” But Oshiomhole denied the accusations: “If Oshiomhole could not instigate people in past elections, then would he now instigate violence now that he is contesting and the people are with him. In Etsako where he is campaigning, there is no riot. And Obaseki is from Benin, so he should check himself” said his spokesman Victor Oshioke.
