Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned that incessant scarcity of cash in the country may lead to a revolution, noting that deliberate cash squeeze amounts to human right violation.
  
This was as reports from parts of Taraba State highlight resurgence in the scarcity of cash, despite consistent assurances from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regarding cash liquidity in the system.
  
HURIWA accused CBN of serial human rights violations through its deliberate and systemic failure to supply Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) adequate cash to meet up with the demands of customers. 
  
The rights group maintains that the legal mandates and obligations of CBN include the issuance of legal tender, maintenance of external reserves to safeguard the international value of the national currency, promotion of a sound financial system; act as bankers’ banker and provide economic advice to the Federal Government. 
  
It stated, yesterday, that despite the CBN’s directives to the banks to continue to issue, accept old and redesigned naira banknotes, scarcity of the local currencies has persisted. 
  
It inquired from some high-profile officials of some banks in Abuja why there was no cash for withdrawal, and they said the banks did not load cash into the machine, even as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were dispensing maximum of N5,000 to non-bank customers, while customers could withdraw up to N20,000.
  
According to HURIWA, the apex bank is failing its primary supervisory roles to get the commercial banks to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which relaxed the December 31, 2023 deadline for the validity of the old naira notes.

IN Taraba, the old and redesigned naira banknotes are reportedly in short supply, threatening livelihoods.  Point of Sale (PoS) operators seized the opportunity to fleece bank depositors, charging as much as N200 on every N10,000 withdrawal.
  
Banks in the region ration cash, a move that has not been well-received by customers. This practice, The Guardian gathered, threatens the plans of those hoping to celebrate the festive season outside the state.
  
Also, most ATMs throughout the state were not loaded at the time of filing this report, leaving depositors frustrated. Banks, however, cite directives from management for restrictions on withdrawals exceeding N20,000.