Protests in Kwara began at the Oko-Olowo market axis and spread to the Oloje, Alore, Omoda, and Adangba areas of Ilorin.
Motorists fled the roads as bonfires obstructed traffic flow. As a result, commuters were stranded.
As angry youths, residents, and marketers took over the streets, burning tires on major roads, destroying banks, the protests spread to the Offa garage roundabout axis.
For most of the day, the entire area, including the Ganmo, Kilanko, and Offa garage areas, was deserted. The situation was brought under control, however, by the state police command, which arrested five suspects.
Our correspondent also observed a crowd with rejected old naira notes at the CBN office on Offa Road in Ilorin, where they were being attended to by bank officials.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged the people of the state to remain calm and peaceful, and not to succumb to frustration 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 a reasonable time.
‘’I admit it has been tough, and we do not take your patience for granted. I sincerely appeal to you to remain calm. We are resilient people who are popular for our peaceful nature and our history of seeking relief 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.”
Dr. Ibrahim Sull-Gambari, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Traditional rulers, also appealed for calm, assuring that the state government was on top of the situation.
