13 arrested in Delta State for burning banks in protest

Last updated: 2023/02/15 at 10:15 PM

starconnect Published 15 February 2023

Access bank in flames in Udu LG, Delta State

Admin l Wednesday, February 15, 2023

UDU, Delta, Nigeria – Thirteen youths have been arrested for burning banks under guise of protesting scarcity of the Naira notes in Delta State.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe the youths were arrested for burning two banks in Udu Local Government Delta State.

Speaking on Channels TV, he said the motive for the protest is not clear but that punishment for arson is life imprisonment. He said it may not be entirely true that banks are hoarding cash. He said, the Commissioner of Police has appealed to them to deal with everybody equally.

He urged the banks to explain to customers, adding that though there are a few bad eggs in the banks, it is wrong to generalised. He said the police is also affected, adding that the situation will not last long.

He said the Delta State police command is working with other security agencies to bring about peace during the election. He appealed to the youths to remain calm.

This is coming as protest over Naira scarcity spreads to Ilorin, Kwara State, Ota in Ogun State, Mokanla, Eleyele and other areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the aggrieved youths barricaded roads, making burn fires.

Couple of protests were also recorded in Ota axis of Ogun State, where some youths were cited barricading roads throwing the whole area into confusion.

In Kwara State, the protest mostly affected the Gambari area, where the youths barricades streets, making burn fire. Those who spoke said they are angry that the banks and filling stations were rejecting old Naira notes.

There was also protest at Akpakpava in Edo State, Benin City with reports of deaths. Wema Bank and First bank branches were also torched in Benin.

Branches of Zenith Bank, Access Bank, First Bank, Wema Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank have been burnt by unguided elements in the guise of protesting scarce Naira notes across the federation, with several Automatic Teller Machines, ATMs damaged.