One Person Shot As Ogun Residents Protest, Vandalise Banks Over Naira, Fuel Scarcity [Video]

One person has reportedly been shot in Ogun state during a protest over the lingering petrol and naira notes scarcity in the country.

It was gathered that the protesters made bonfires and blocked the road that leads to Adatan and Osiele-Ibadan during the protest that spread to Adatan, Sapon, Oke-Ilewo, Lafenwa among others.

The protesters, who lamented the pains and agonies they were passing through, vandalised the Sapon Branch of the First Bank Plc in Abeokuta to vent their anger.

Speaking to TheCable, a resident of Abeokuta who identified himself as Taofeek said the protest started at a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) located in the Asero area of the city.

“It all started at GTBank, Asero, before it extended to the major and strategic places in the city. More like a coordinated or planned protest, it was so fast,” he said.

Another resident, Kehinde Emmanuel, said one person was shot while several bank branches were vandalised before the police restored normalcy in the area.

“The protest started in the morning, from Asero down to Itoko. I got to Sapon this afternoon around 1pm, and I noticed a bonfire under the bridge there. I saw flames coming from the bridge close to an Access Bank branch in the area.

“They are protesting both petrol and naira notes scarcity. They have destroyed branches of First Bank, Access Bank in Sapon, while Asero’s branches of Polaris and GTBank have also been destroyed.

“The police are already around and things have been calm. But someone got shot in his arm,” Emmanuel said.

When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incidences, and assured members of the public to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.

“We are aware of the protests in some parts of the state. Our men have been mobilised to the areas to ensure the protest is under control.

“We were able to put off the bonfire at Asero junction and we appealed to the protesters to vacate the road for motorists,” he said.

A viral video shows a resident in pains after being shot on the hand and was being attended to by good samaritans in the ensuing pandemonium.

Watch the video below:

Nigerian Police Officer allegedly shoots protester in Sapon area of Abeokuta, Ogun State as residents protest over new Naira notes and fuel scarcity.https://t.co/KDGBrKIJRm

— Communicator (@__communicator_) February 7, 2023

Just In: One sh@t as protest rocks Ogun State over new Naira notes and fuel scarcity

At least one person sustained g¥nshot inj¥ry during a protest over the new Naira notes and fuel scarcity in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. https://t.co/pKf5xnm20X

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 7, 2023

VIDEO: ATMs vandalised as protests over scarcity of naira spreads to Ogun pic.twitter.com/l0Y8mj87LC

— Premium Times (@PremiumTimesng) February 7, 2023

Protest turns riot in Abeokuta ogun state as stray bullet hit one, over naira and fuel scarcity, PLEASE LET US ALL BE SAFE OUT THERE, NOTHING WORTH ONES LIFE, BIKO CHECK ON YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN ABEOKUTA 00, I COME IN PEACE pic.twitter.com/OeH1Dvljh4

— Bishop 𝕏 (@BishopPOEvang) February 7, 2023

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Within Nigeria (@withinnigeria)

This comes a few days after Ibadan residents blocked major roads and set bonfires while protesting over the hardship imposed on them by the new naira notes and persistent fuel scarcity.