Several people engaged in the selling of the new naira notes have been detained, according to a report released on Monday by the Department of State Services.
In a statement released on Monday by Peter Afunanya, the DSS’s spokesman, the agency accused some commercial bank employees of supporting the crime.
The statement was titled, ‘DSS intercepted syndicates selling new currency notes, bank official implicated’.
It read, “The Department of State Services 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.
“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 the emerging trend.
“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.”