Nigeria, Feb. 10 -- Residents of Ondo State are calling for an end to the Federal Government's new naira swap policy, saying it has brought them untold hardship.

After pockets of protests in the state, banks have completely closed their doors to customers citing ashortage of the new naira notes.

Even the recent pronouncement by the Supreme Court that the old notes remain legal tender beyond 10 February has not impacted the crisis.

Since Tuesday, banks have provided only skeletal services, shutting down as soon they run out of cash.

On Thursday, the commercial banks did not open at all.

A First Bank employee spoke to this reporter in confidence, citing fear of reprimand as they were not expected to speak with journalists on the issue....