There is confusion among marketers and buyers in Yobe State over the rejection of old naira notes against new notes that are scarce in circulations.

The development has led to increased fears among traders in the market that many people may lose their money as the January 31 deadline for switching over to the use of the newly redesigned was almost at hand.

Some buyers who were interviewed are saying they hardly see the new naira notes at the markets. Our Reporter, who went round the Market and beyond, to see the new notes, said the revelations were the same as he cited few new naira notes.

Muhammad Auwal who sells vegetables and pepper in the market, said if care is not taken, many people will lose their money because January 31st was too short as the new naira was scanty in circulation.

He said from Thursday, January 26, 2023 he would stop collecting old naira notes from customers. “I will not collect and using old money from Thursday, that is all,” he said.

Miss Mary who sells food in the Market said “she finds it extremely difficult to receive the old currency,” complaining vigorously that the new money is not enough to go round the market

She said she would stop receiving old currency from Wednesday, January 25. ”We are pleading with government to extend the time for old currency to vanish,” she said.

She appealed for the extension of the time beyond January 3, saying that the period left was too short for people to change the old Naira notes, especially in Jigawa where banks don’t accept deposits.

Bello Abubakar of Dutse Ultra Modern Market who came to buy things in the Market, said he bought goods with old currency because he didn’t get the new currency. ”I saw this new currency small small going round, not like the old one which is everywhere,” he said.

Kaila Muhammad (Ka chanchanta) of Hadejia Market said people must feel pain of the old and new naira transition. “In Hadejia Market, we are still doing transaction with old currency. I bought over 30 bags of rice with old currency; but still, there is fear of the old currency,” he said.

According to him, marketers were afraid of the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes because they promised to stop collecting the old currency from the 25th of this month.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria has set 31st January, 2023, as the deadline for using old naira notes in Nigeria.