By Babalola Seyi
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) began arresting naira traders and abusers around the country on Friday.
According to CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the move is in line with Federal Government policy.
According to the spokesman, the operation adheres to the requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, concerning Nigeria’s currency.
Inspector-General Usman Baba delegated responsibility for the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to the Deputy Inspector-General and Assistant Inspector-General, respectively.
All officers and soldiers of the units have been placed on high alert “to arrest and punish people engaged in the sale or misuse of naira notes”.
Similarly, the IGP instructed all supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners in charge of Commands and Formations with enforcing Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act, 2007.
The legislation makes peddling, selling/trading, spraying, marching, forging or counterfeiting bank notes, refusing to accept naira as payment, and tampering with coins or notes illegal.
The police committed to implement all rules and regulations without regard for the enabling Acts of other security agencies, and they urged everyone to assist.
The statement said the law will be brought upon all violators of the provisions of the CBN Act, and other extant statutes in Nigeria.