By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Youths in their numbers have protested across some popular streets in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Wednesday, burning disused tyres on major roads, over the scarcity of the new naira notes.
The protests, which reportedly started at Gerin Alimi and later spread to other areas like Oloje, Ogidi, Oja Oba, and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) axis, among others, caused traffic gridlock in the town.
The State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesman, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, said the situation has been brought under control, and normalcy established, adding that five arrests have been made, and the suspects would soon be charged to court.
The statement added that Commissioner of Police Paul Odama has “ordered aggressive motorized and foot patrols of the metropolis. He advised parents and guardians to warn their children or wards to avoid being used as canon-folders by disgruntled political activists, as any one arrested in the process of committing any crime, either as a result of the fuel or Naira challenges, would be made to face the consequences of such actions alone.”
The CP, the statement added, has
advised the people to go about their lawful duties, saying “enough security arrangements have been put in place across the length and breadth of Kwara State to ensure the safety and security of law abiding citizens and residents.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, urged the people to remain calm and peaceful, saying the Governor sympathised with them on the continuous scarcity of the naira as a result of the recent CBN’s currency redesign policy, while he also appealed to them not to give in to any frustrations over the naira scarcity.
“I testify to the inconvenience this development has brought. We are in this together, and we are not missing any opportunity to work with the CBN and the Federal Government to bring ease to the people within reasonable time. I admit it has been tough, and we do not take your patience for granted,” he said.
“I sincerely appeal to you to remain calm. We are a resilient people who are popular for our peaceful nature and our history of seeking reliefs with calmness and absolute restraints. This is a passionate appeal to the good people of Kwara State. Again, I share in your pains, and I urge you to exercise the highest level of restraints as we surmount this challenge together.”