Police to deal with protesters who assault banks, ATMs as robbers

The Nigerian police says some residents annoyed by money shortages within the nation had been attacking banks and vandalising cash-dispensing machines, and warned that they’d be handled as armed robbers.

Nigeria Police Pressure nationwide spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi warned such actions would elicit a powerful response from regulation enforcement brokers and people caught shouldn’t declare that their rights had been being violated.

“Allow us to get this straight, it’s not a peaceable protest when you find yourself popping out and attacking ATMs (automated teller machines), attacking banks or any monetary establishment. It’s theft and we are going to deal with you want an armed robber,” he mentioned in a press release.

The Affiliation of Senior Employees of Banks, Insurance coverage and Monetary Establishments (ASSBIFI) mentioned its members would keep away from work in states the place financial institution branches had been being attacked “till normalcy is restored.”

Forward of subsequent week’s election to decide on new lawmakers and a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, frustration is rising in Africa’s most populous nation over a central financial institution plan to swap outdated naira financial institution notes for brand new ones. The transfer has triggered shortages of money and disrupted commerce.

On Friday indignant prospects in Lagos and different states in southern Nigeria attacked banks and burned tyres on the streets to protest failure to entry their cash, native tv confirmed.

Learn additionally: Attacks: Stay at home, ASSBIFI tells bank staff

ASSBIFI mentioned the union had requested the federal government to supply safety inside and round banks, “however regrettably the assaults have continued.”

Money is the principle medium of transaction in Africa’s largest economic system, which is basically casual.

Some politicians have criticised the timing forward of the Feb. 25 vote, as campaigns are funded by principally hard-to-trace money.

On Thursday, Buhari defended the money swap plan, however authorised the central financial institution to increase the deadline to show in outdated banknotes by one other 60 days.