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6 Nigeria Governors, Police Crack Down On Rejection Of Old Naira Notes
Governments of various states and police commands have initiated a crackdown on traders and supermarkets who are accused of declining the old Nigerian naira notes.
Investigation has revealed that the authorities in states such as Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bayelsa, Zamfara and Kwara have issued directives to their security agencies to take action against anyone who refuses to accept the old N1000, N500, and N200 notes.
This action was taken in response to the confusion caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s failure to provide clear guidance to commercial banks regarding the extension of the February 10 deadline for exchanging the old currency, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that prevented the Federal Government from enforcing the previously established time limit set by the central bank.
On Sunday, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, instructed the acting Chairman of the Kano State Consumer Protection Council, Dr. Baffa Dan’agundi, to close down Wellcare supermarket for rejecting the old naira notes in contravention of the state government’s directive that the currency is still considered legal tender.
The Chairman of the Council announced the closure of the supermarket after taking the necessary steps and added that legal action will also be taken against the owners of the supermarket, Wellcare Alliance Limited.
He cautioned other businesses in Kano that the state government has not banned the usage of old naira notes.
Dr. Baffa Dan’agundi warned that any shopkeeper caught rejecting the old notes will face decisive action as per the law.
In the meantime, the management of Wellcare Alliance Limited has issued an apology letter to Governor Ganduje, requesting his prompt intervention to reopen the supermarket. The letter was titled “A plea for immediate intervention to reopen Wellcare Alliance Limited and an apology letter.”
Similarly, the government of Katsina State has issued a warning to banks and traders in the state not to reject the old naira notes until the Supreme Court delivers a final ruling on the matter.
The warning was issued in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs, Abdulkarim Sirika.
The statement from the government stated that they were aware of reports that banks and traders in the state were rejecting the old notes from citizens, causing significant difficulties for the people.
The statement read: ‘’It has come to the notice of the state government under the able leadership of the Governor of Katsina State, Rtd Hon. Aminu Bello Masari that banks and marketers are no longer accepting the old naira notes.
“In view of this, His Excellency, the governor has directed that marketers and banks should continue accepting the old naira notes from now to the 15th February 2023 pending the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter.”
In Sokoto, the state police command has declared its commitment to taking action against anyone who refuses to accept the old notes. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Sanusi Abubakar, stated that although they have not received any official complaints, they are encouraging residents to report any incidents of old note rejection to law enforcement agencies in the state.
Abubakar said, ‘’I’m sure you know we can only react if there is a complaint against anyone rejecting the notes but so far, we have not gotten any report of such in the state. I can assure you that we are on top of the situation and we will do the needful if such a report is made.’’
The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, also spoke on the matter, saying that the police have received a directive to arrest anyone who sells or buys naira notes in the state.
In response to an inquiry from newsmen, Okasanmi stated, “There is a government directive to arrest anyone who messes up the naira notes, buy or sell the notes, but we have not been able to catch anyone in Kwara state. I want to advise people to abide by the government directive on both old and new naira notes so that they would not run foul of the law.’’
To alleviate the difficulties faced by residents, the state government revealed that it has arranged palliatives to help mitigate the effects of both the fuel scarcity and currency scarcity in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, further explained in a statement on Sunday that the palliatives would involve cash transfers to widows, pensioners, transporters, marketers, smallholder farmers, and other vulnerable individuals.
He noted that the program would be managed by the Kwara State Social Investment Program to ensure proper coordination and accountability.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State Command, Ben Okolo, has directed Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders, and other law enforcement personnel to closely monitor banks and ATM locations to prevent any disturbance of peace.
The command acknowledges the difficulties faced by the general public and is hopeful that the new measures introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria will lead to an improvement in the currency circulation in the near future.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State Command also stated that the command has not received a directive to arrest individuals who reject the old naira notes.
He added that the command is appealing to members of the public to remain calm and continue with their lawful businesses as the command is committed to ensuring public safety and security.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State Command advised residents to continue accepting the old naira notes as it remains a legal tender. He added that the state police command is there to guarantee public safety and security.
The committee chairman, Alhaji Bello Bakyasuwa, who monitored the filling stations and other business centers in Gusau, the capital city, said that the old currency remained a legal tender in the state as directed by Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state.
He vowed to arrest anyone who did not comply with the governor’s directive.
“My committee will instantly arrest any person who refuses to accept the old naira notes. My governor has given a directive for the arrest of those who do not accept the old naira notes as legal tender,’’ he declared.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and several legal practitioners on Monday escorted a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, to the office of her Local Government Inspector (LGI) after she was summoned for a viral video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye had gained widespread attention after posting a video on her TikTok account, #talktoraye, in which she lamented the country’s worsening economic crisis and blamed President Tinubu for the hardship faced by Nigerians.
She further described the president as a “terrible leader.”
READ ALSO: You Have No Right To Stop Me – Sowore Battles Police, EFCC At Court Entrance
In a subsequent video, Raye claimed that NYSC officials had begun to threaten her following her public outbursts.
She was then summoned to appear at the NYSC office in Eti-Osa, Lagos, for questioning on Monday.
However, Sowore, alongside legal practitioners including Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh, accompanied Raye to the NYSC office in a show of solidarity.
According to an update shared by Sowore on his official X handle, the NYSC officials failed to show up for the meeting.
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the @officialnyscng with youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys.
@mrfestusogun, @yinka_oyesomi, and @justiceojienoh, but the LGI official had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay,” Sowore posted.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 1:20 p.m.
Oloyede, who was attached to the 78 PMF, Zamfara State, was found dead from a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances.
READ ALSO: No More Sacking Of Unmarried Pregnant Policewomen – NPF
According to preliminary reports, another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he saw Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table in the security office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oloyede reportedly assured Stephen that he was fine.
Moments later, Stephen went to the restroom but was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He rushed back to find Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
With the help of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately transported to Ota General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine whether foul play was involved or if mental health issues contributed to the tragedy.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further inquiry.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Ajele Oloyede. The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure that all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” Odutola stated.
Authorities assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made known once concluded.
Nine surveyors abducted in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been released after their families paid a ransom of N20 million.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped a week ago while working at a site in Ilu-Abo.
Their captors initially demanded N100 million for their release.
However, following negotiations, market women intervened, pleading for a reduction to N50 million.
READ MORE: Ondo Market Women Block Governor’s Office Over Nine Abducted Surveyors
The kidnappers initially rejected the appeal before eventually settling for N20 million.
Confirming their release, Pastor Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo, said: “The victims have joined their individual family members.”
It was gathered that after regaining their freedom, the surveyors were taken to different hospitals for medical examinations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage in the state, prompting market women and youths in Akure to stage a protest.
The demonstrators urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take decisive action against the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
Security authorities have yet to comment on any arrests related to the incident.
More to follow………..
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