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Naira scarcity: More banks close branches in major cities

Published

3 years ago

February 10, 2023

Relief is far for cash-strapped Nigerians as more banks shut their branches yesterday.

The banks hinged their actions on lack of cash and safety, it was learnt.

Banks like Zenith, Sterling and Fidelity have had some of their branches in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Benin shut for three days after being stormed by angry customers.

Two Tier-1 banks in Lagos left notes at their banking premises indicating they had server challenges.

Nigerians have for some days been restive due to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) naira redesign policy that has made both the old and new naira notes scarce.

The situation is made worse by severe challenges in carrying out transactions online due to poor connectivity.

In many of the banks’ branches on Victoria Island, Lekki and Folomo axis of Lagos, security men were given clear instructions not to allow any customer demanding cash transactions into the banking halls.

Only customers needing interbank or intra-bank transfers, ATM activation, new account opening, and forex transactions, among others, were allowed into the halls.

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An official of FirstBank Lekki Phase 1 said: “We do not have the cash to pay anyone. We were told not to dispense cash at all. That’s the instruction the bank gave us.”

But the official did not say if it was the CBN or First Bank authorities that gave the instruction

Inside the banking halls, many customers queued to activate their ATM cards and also carry out e-payment transactions.

One of the customers in her early 60s, of the First Bank Lekki Phase 1 branch, who was turned back, said: “We are now prisoners in our own country. I cannot believe that a bank I have been its customer for over 40 years is denying me entry. It is very sad.”

At the Awolowo Road branch of GTBank, Lotus Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, which had one ATM point dispensing cash, there were over 4,000 customers in line to make cash withdrawals.

A customer, Michael Otu, said he lives at Obalande, but was told that the three banks’ ATMs were dispensing cash.

“I was told by one of my friends that the three banks’ ATMs were dispensing cash. I had to rush to see if I can get cash to settle some obligations,” he said.

Aside from no cash transactions in many of the banks’ branches, several other branches were not open for business.

Fidelity Bank Ibeju-Lekki branch has not opened for the past two days. A customer told The Nation yesterday that she nearly slept there on Wednesday.

“The ATMs are not dispensing cash; the banks are also not open for business. How can I access my funds to meet my obligations to my family?” she asked.

When contacted, the security man at the bank said the branch did not open because of server issues.

The Dopemu Branch of Sterling Bank near Iyana Ipaja was shut to customers, some of who turned up as early as 7am.

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The customers, who were given numbers, waited in vain for the ATM to be loaded with cash. As of 2pm when our reporter left the branch, none of the two ATMs was dispensing cash.

Some of the customers, who had already waited for over seven hours despite the scorching sun, said they had no choice and would continue waiting.

The UBA branch on Fatai Atere in Matori, Lagos, though open, did not pay either over the counter or via ATM.

The plight of residents of Ondo State was made worse by the fact that ATMs did not dispense cash.

Although the banks, especially along Oba Adesida Road and at Alagbaka, were shut, many customers waited beyond 6pm in the hope that luck might still smile on them.

One of the customers, who gave his name as Jimoh, said he was at one of the banks as early as 7:30 am.

Jimoh said security personnel informed him that the banks were shut due to fear of attacks.

In Ikare-Akoko, Akoko Northeast Local Government area, the situation was the same.

Ikare-Akoko serves as the commercial nerve of the four local government areas in Akokoland.

Farmers and traders who were in Ikare for banking transactions from distant places like Ikakumo Afin Ipesi Igasi and Eriall were disappointed.

A businessman, Sunday Omogboye, who came from Ikakumo to withdraw money, said many people were suffering in the villages due to a lack of cash.

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The situation was a little different in Abuja where most banks opened their branches to customers. Only Zenith had many branches still locked.

Three things were, however, common among the bank branches: They paid out mostly mutilated old notes in the banking halls and closed before the official time.

When The Nation visited the Wema Bank branch in the Central Business District, a large but orderly crowd was seen making withdrawals of old notes from its ATMs.

In the banking hall, customers were paid N3,000 only over the counter in dirty N50 denominations.

At the Stanbic IBTC branch in the area, the ATMs were down but customers were allowed freely in the banking hall where they had a rare opportunity to withdraw as much as N25,000 in mutilated N50 notes.

At Garki Areas 7 and 8, the banks all had their fair share of crowds at the ATMs while the banking halls had few crowds transacting over the counter.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, banks did not work to their full capacity due to the scarcity of the new naira notes.

At the Sterling Bank branch in Agodi, Ibadan, all customers were allowed into the banking hall where the tellers rationed the amounts paid to them.

But at the Access Bank branch in Bodija, customers that wanted to withdraw were not allowed into the banking ball.

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The few ATMs that worked in most parts of the city had hundreds of forlorn-looking customers in queues for hours.

Some of the customers lamented the hardship the scarcity of the naira had caused them.

Abimbola Onalaja said she arrived at the First Bank branch at Agodi, at 6:30 am and left around 4 pm without making a withdrawal through the ATM.

“I got here at 6.30 am, yet, I couldn’t collect a dime. Look at the time now. It’s 4 pm and I’m yet to eat anything.

“The last money on me was what I used to come here, this hardship is getting too much.”

Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were stranded as banks failed to load their ATMs.

ATM stands at Ogo-Oluwa, Station road, Fakunle, Igbonna, Power Line and Aregbe were deserted as they are not dispensing cash.

Customers who came from distant locations could also not make withdrawals over the counter.

In Owerri, Imo State, many people waited for hours outside the banks’ premises for officials to open the doors to their banking halls.

At Douglas Road, some of them complained that they were “tired of suffering”

One of the customers, Echesona Judex, said: “It is not really a good experience though it made our purchases reduce. We cannot go to the places we want to go or buy food items.”

Another was overheard in front of one of the banks threatening to burn it down if the officials did not allow him into the premises. At Shoprite along Egbu Road, all UBA ATMs did not work.

But Benin, Edo State residents had a breather as the CBN made available new notes to banks to dispense through their counters and ATMs.

Point of Sale (PoS) operators also started reducing their charges and paying new naira.

A customer, Maureen Douglas, was paid N20,000 across the counter.

CBN’s Director of Risk Management from Abuja, Blaise Ijebor, and the Benin office branch Controller, Renner Jumbo, monitored the banks.

The situation was also a bit smooth in parts of Jos, the Plateau State capital, where banks let in customers who were able to make withdrawals.

The Nation

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How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters

Published

3 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Trends Admin

How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters

Residents of Karofin Madaki quarters in Bauchi metropolis were thrown into shock and mourning following the killing of a renowned Islamiyyah teacher in the area, Rilwanu Dauda . Dauda, 42, was allegedly killed on Sunday by two brothers suspected to be political thugs after a quarrel over political posters . Daily Trust gathered that Dauda was stabbed in the stomach with a knife and died on the way to hospital .

Trouble started around 10am on that day after the deceased asked the thugs to remove political posters pasted on a billboard adjacent to his family house . The thugs refused and engaged him in a fight . According to the deceased’s elder brother, Hamza Dauda, the younger of the two thugs struck Malam with a stick while the elder struck him with a knife on the head. The cleric collapsed, and people around intervened to force the thugs to leave the scene . However, the younger thug crossed the road, entered his family house, and returned minutes later holding a knife. He met the late brother at the main gate and stabbed him in the stomach before fleeing. Some neighbours saw him sneak away, and it was only after he had gone that they realised the cleric was bleeding from the injury . He was rushed to the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival, having died on the way .

Hamza, who was at work when the incident happened, received a call from a friend informing him of his brother’s death. He described his late brother as someone who “never quarreled with others,” adding: “Unfortunately, look at how he was brutally murdered for no reason” . He called on the government and the police to arrest the killers and bring them to justice, saying: “I want justice in this matter. Everybody knows Malam was not troublesome and he was killed unjustly. His family wants justice. The killers should be arrested and made to pay for their actions” .

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When our reporter visited the deceased’s family house, sympathisers were still trooping in four days after his murder for condolences . Residents, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the late cleric as humble, kind, humane and a gentleman . One of them, Muhammad Aminu, lamented: “I wonder why people no longer value human life. People can kill over a slight provocation. This is unfortunate and something should be done to prevent its recurrence” . He suggested that the thugs may have had a grudge against the deceased, noting that after the fight had ended following intervention, one of the thugs returned to the scene and stabbed him. He described the late cleric as kind, religious, generous, and someone who related well with people, residing with his family along Ibrahim Bako Road .

One of the deceased’s neighbours, Bello Ibrahim, gave further details, stating that the thugs called a colleague who came to the scene and proceeded to paste the poster, resulting in a heated argument, after which one of the thugs brought out a dagger, stabbed the late Ridwan in the chest and fled . Residents rushed out, picked him up, and took him to hospital, but he died on the way .

Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed visited the deceased’s family to offer condolences . The governor pledged to take responsibility for the education of the deceased’s children from primary school through university . He said perpetrators of violent crimes anywhere in the state would have no hiding place, as the government intensifies efforts to safeguard lives and property . He assured the bereaved family that justice would be pursued without fear or favour, and anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law . The governor called on citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid investigations .

Confirming the incident, the Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nafi’u Habib, said police had commenced investigation . “No stone will be left unturned in the course of our investigation until the killers of the cleric are arrested. We will not relent until we arrest them all,” he said . Asked whether any arrests had been made, the police spokesperson said there had been none but assured that the culprits would surely be arrested and brought to book . He urged the public to always report crimes in their communities, adding that the fight against crime is everybody’s responsibility .

Commenting on the rise in murder cases, a retired Police Commissioner, Muhammad Wakil, attributed the incidents to lack of good moral upbringing, drug abuse, illiteracy, and hatred, among other vices . He said: “It is unfortunate that the majority of our youths are into drug abuse and their level of illiteracy is also a contributing factor. Most of our youths are school dropouts and they also lack Islamic knowledge. They don’t have a sound background. This kind of generation can engage in any crime you can think of. With little money you can persuade them to commit any crime. An empty brain is the devil’s workshop and can engage in all sorts of crimes” . He called for a reflection on how forefathers lived and urged the culture of brotherhood to make these vices disappear .

How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters

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DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken

DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu

Controversial disc jockey and TikTok personality Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, has reportedly been arrested by security operatives in Ikeja, Lagos State, over a viral video in which he allegedly made threatening remarks about Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The entertainer’s lawyer, Rotimi Stephen, disclosed the development in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday. According to Stephen, DJ Chicken was apprehended at the Ikeja Police Headquarters, and he further alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) may also be involved in the matter. “So, DJ Chicken is now with the authorities. He was arrested at Ikeja and he is now at Ikeja Police Headquarters, but I am very sure it is the DSS. He was arrested in connection with the statement he made some days ago about the son of the president, Seyi Tinubu,” the lawyer stated.

The reported arrest stems from a video that recently circulated widely across social media platforms. In the clip, DJ Chicken is heard saying in Yoruba: “Tinubu, you can’t win the election. If you win, I will kill Seyi Tinubu. I won’t say more than that.” Following the public backlash, the entertainer later posted another video apologising, explaining that the initial clip was intended to generate engagement and boost his earnings as a content creator, rather than as a genuine threat. This apology, however, appears to have come after the video had already gone viral and attracted the attention of security agencies.

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In an emotional plea, Rotimi Stephen appealed to DJ Chicken’s supporters, well-wishers, and individuals with access to the Presidency to intervene and help secure his release from custody. The lawyer described DJ Chicken as his “personal project” and part of his contribution to mentoring young people in society. He also suggested that the entertainer may have mental health challenges, stating: “He is not that okay. We are just managing him.” Stephen further pleaded: “Please, fans and well-wishers, people that like Chicken and people that are close with the Presidency, please forgive Chicken. He is not that okay. We are just managing him. Chicken is my own personal project. It is my own part of giving back to society.” He urged the government to show leniency, assuring that steps would be taken to address the situation. “I don’t know what to do again. They should please,” he added, expressing his uncertainty about the next steps and his growing concern over the entertainer’s fate.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Department of State Services (DSS) has officially confirmed DJ Chicken’s arrest or issued any statement regarding the circumstances surrounding his reported detention. Seyi Tinubu has also not publicly reacted to the lawyer’s appeal or the controversy surrounding the video. The Presidency has remained silent on the matter, leaving the public to await official communication from the relevant authorities. This lack of confirmation has left many of DJ Chicken’s fans and followers in a state of uncertainty, with social media buzzing with mixed reactions ranging from sympathy to criticism.

DJ Chicken, whose real name is Ademola Abiodun, is a well-known social media personality and disc jockey based in Lagos. He has built a significant following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram for his provocative and often controversial content. His outspoken style has previously landed him in online disputes, but this marks the first known instance of reported arrest over his online activities. The case has reignited conversations about the boundaries of free expression on social media in Nigeria, particularly when comments are perceived as threatening toward public figures or their family members. As the story continues to develop, many are watching to see whether the authorities will issue an official statement or if the matter will be resolved through legal channels and diplomatic intervention.

DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu

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Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Operation HADIN KAI troops have intercepted a suspected foreign courier allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands of Borno State.

The successful operation was carried out by troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, during a coordinated search mission along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Military authorities said the suspect was intercepted while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, an area close to the Lake Chad Basin that has remained a strategic route used by insurgents and their logistics networks.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspect was identified as Mrs. Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national from Kelo, Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad.

Captain Goni disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate the prohibited items were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area that has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Items recovered during the operation included seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal belongings.

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Military authorities said the recovered exhibits are valued at millions of naira, adding that the suspect is currently in military custody while the seized items have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.

The military described the interception as another major success in ongoing efforts to dismantle the logistics and supply chains that sustain terrorist operations in Nigeria’s North-East.

According to the statement, intelligence gathered over the years has consistently shown that terrorist groups often rely on illicit drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and sustain violent attacks against both civilians and security personnel.

By intercepting the consignment before it reached its intended destination, the troops disrupted what the military described as a critical support network used by terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad Basin, a region spanning parts of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon that has witnessed years of insurgency.

The latest operation adds to a series of recent offensives by Operation HADIN KAI targeting terrorist logistics, weapons supplies and cross-border movements. Nigerian troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have intensified coordinated land and air operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, leading to the destruction of terrorist enclaves, recovery of weapons, rescue of kidnapped victims and the surrender of several insurgents and their family members.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that disrupting terrorist logistics remains one of the most effective strategies for weakening insurgent groups. Beyond military offensives, cutting off access to drugs, food supplies, fuel, weapons and financial support significantly reduces the operational capability of armed groups.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to protecting national security. It reaffirmed that operations against terrorists and their collaborators would continue until lasting peace is restored across the North-East.

The military also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in identifying suspicious movements, dismantling criminal networks and sustaining the gains recorded in the fight against terrorism.