No fewer than three people have died in a violent protest outside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Benin, Edo State.

Sources said the protesters, wielding sticks, stones and other weapons, attacked and destroyed a First Bank branch in the area on Wednesday, and then headed to the CBN branch with the intention of damaging it.

Responding, soldiers in military vehicles drove out of the bank shooting teargas cannisters and firing gunshots.

“It happened this morning at Ring Road, King Square in Upper,” a source told FIJ. “They just attacked and destroyed First Bank, then they started stoning the CBN branch that was just close by.

“They did not touch Polaris Bank. It was only First Bank and CBN. Soldiers came out and started shooting teargas and gunshots. Three people have died already.”

When FIJ called Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, he said he was aware of the incident but was unable to give details as it was “still fresh”.

The development came after the CBN deadline for exchange of old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes for new ones lapsed on February 10, 2023.

With Nigerians lamenting unavailability of new notes, protests have rocked several cities in the country.