ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Some members of an organized syndicate involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
DSS revealed that syndicates connived with some commercial bank officials in the act and were arrested during the secret Police’s operation across the country.
The DSS public relations officer, Peter Afunanya, made this known in a statement on Monday.
The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has intercepted some members of organised syndicates involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes.
“In the course of its operations, in this regard in parts of the country, it was also established that some Commercial Bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance.
“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address emerging trends.
“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities.”
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had on Sunday, extended the deadline for the swap of old naira notes at commercial banks by 10 days.
Nigerians had earlier before the extension, complained about the inability to swap their old notes for the new designs as the 31 January deadline came close.