The Department of State Services (DSS) said its agents intercepted some members of organized syndicates involved in the sale of the new redesigned naira notes at a time millions of Nigerians are scrambling to get the new naira notes.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, on Monday, the currency traders are working in collaboration with bank officials.
“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 new 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,” Afunanya wrote.
The DSS, also called SSS, warned the “currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act.”
It did not, however, say if those ‘intercepted’ and their bank collaborators would be prosecuted.
“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the 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.”
Recalled that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, announced the extension of the validity of the old notes from January 31st to February 10th 2023.
Many Nigerians had called for the extension due to the scarcity of the new notes, despite the claims by the CBN that it had circulated enough of such.
