By Correspondent in Ilorin.
The Police Command in Kwara state says it has arrested five suspects for public disturbances following their involvement in early Wednesday morning protest on new naira note swap in Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement signed by SP Okasanmi Ajayi, the Police Public Relations Officer,PPRO, for the Command in the state and made available to newsmen in Ilorin on Wednesday.
He said that the command had earlier warned against protests and public processions under any guise because such unwholesome behavior could be hijacked by hoodlums.
According to him, the command woke up to an unlawful burning of disused tires on some major roads in Ilorin on Wednesday morning, in spite of the earlier warning by the Command against such unwholesome behaviour by hoodlums in the wake of the Naira note swap.
“The situation has, however, been brought under control, and normalcy has already been established.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, CP Paul Odama, has ordered aggressive motorized and foot patrols of the metro,” he said.
Ajayi advised parents and guidance to warn their children or wards to avoid being used as “canon-folders” by disgruntled political activists, warning that 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 his or her action alone.
“Once again, the good people of Kwara State are advised to go about their lawful daily endeavors.
“Enough security arrangements have been placed across the length and breadth of Kwara State to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and residents,” he added.
He explained that the five suspects would be charged in court after investigation.
Our Correspondent recalls that some irate youths had blocked some major roads in Ilorin, the state capital burning used tyres to protest the scarcity of new naira notes.
In the process, some cars had their screens or mirrors smashed by the hoodlums who had hijacked what initially looked like peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has sympathised with the people of the state on the continuous scarcity of the naira as a result of the recent CBN’s currency redesign policy.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, on Wednesday, the Governor appealed to the people of the state to remain calm and peaceful, adding that they should not give in to any frustration over the naira scarcity.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
Nigerian Leaders are still hiding something from Nigerians.. bcz no matter what, why denyiing citizens access to their money at least 20k per day as earlier stated in their early policy statement, more so why is there no money in the banks? No new or old naira notes..There are simply or manageable ways of making citizens accept a policy…Why are we always failing to understand the sufferings of the mass in this country..My heart bleeds!
Hmmmm,my brother, you said it all.