Chaotic Currency Change: Hoodlums Ransack 3 Banks, Plunder Assets in Rivers State

On Friday afternoon, February 17, the protest against the redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira turned violent in Port Harcourt.

Hoodlums hijacked the protest and destroyed three commercial banks, including First Bank in Churchill and Keystone Bank along Aggrey Road, both in the old Port Harcourt Township area of Port Harcourt.

The rampage was not limited to the destruction of ATMs as the hoodlums broke into the banks and looted the premises.

First Bank at Churchill was the most affected, as the Automated Teller Machines were destroyed and stones were thrown into the premises, destroying several facilities.

The hoodlums looted computer monitors, desktops, water dispensers, and other items inside the bank, but their hope of finding cash was unsuccessful.

Only the two ATMs were destroyed at the Keystone Bank along Aggrey Road.

Markets and shops in the area quickly shut down, while police and patrol vans were deployed to the area to maintain peace.

Three police patrol vans were stationed in front of First Bank to avoid further attacks, as it was learnt that the hoodlums had finalized arrangements to set fire to the bank.

Police officers fired sporadically in the air to disperse the hoodlums and made some arrests.