There is palpable confusion in Sokoto State as many residents in the state have refused to collect old naira notes from customers.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation within the state on Monday gathered that most business operators in the state had started rejecting the old naira notes.

It was also gathered that motorcycle operators also known as ‘okada’ rejected the same notes from their customers.

Speaking, a resident, Atiku Abdulrafiu, called on the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as the Federal Government to find a way to extend the deadline of the old naira notes in circulation.

He explained that as of today, most banks in the state still paid customers with the same old naira notes.

“I was in the bank today to withdraw, we withdrew N580,000 and do you know what? All the money given to us were old notes.

We requested new notes but to our surprise, they said no new note is available.

“Now, how can you imagine that the same money is being rejected by traders and business people in the same state?" he queried.

Also speaking, a trader in Sokoto Old Market, Alhaji Isa Saa, said he had decided not to open his shop till the end of the month for fear of receiving old notes.

He said, “I have told my customers not to bother to come to my shop till next month as I will not open for business.

“I don’t want to collect money that will expire in my house,” he explained.

He however appealed to the Federal Government to look into the plight of Nigerians and extend the time frame for the old naira notes in circulation. (The PUNCH)

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