Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Press Release
Published on 2024-02-22 21:42:11
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in conjunction with a Joint Task Force comprising five teams from the Nigeria Police Force and three teams from the Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 arrested 115 (One hundred and fifteen) suspected currency racketeers in Enugu State.
The suspects, comprising 113 (One hundred and thirteen) males and two females, were arrested in a sting operation at Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu State, following credible intelligence about some bureau de change operators, currency speculators, and street hawkers operating illegal foreign exchange markets in that environment.
Items recovered from them include: N110,700,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira only), $8,368.00 (Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Eight United States Dollars), £145.00 (One Hundred and Forty-Five Pounds), €2,725 (Two Thousand, Seven Hundred Twenty-Five Euros), 900 South African Rands, 32,000.00 CFA, 100 Turkiya, and 500 Bank Mozambique currencies in different denominations.
A safe abandoned by one of the street hawkers was also recovered.
Preliminary investigation showed that some of the suspects are foreigners from Niger Republic.
They would soon be charged to court.
Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity. February 22, 2024
The operation was a result of a joint effort between the EFCC and the Joint Task Force, which includes five teams from the Nigeria Police Force and three teams from the Nigeria Customs Service. It was carried out on February 21, 2024, resulting in the arrest of 115 suspected currency racketeers within Enugu State. The suspects, consisting of 113 males and two females, were taken into custody during a sting operation on Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu State. The operation was prompted by credible intelligence about illegal foreign exchange activities by bureau de change operators, currency speculators, and street hawkers in the area.
During the operation, a significant amount of money in various currencies was recovered from the suspects, including N110,700,000.00, $8,368.00, £145.00, €2,725, 900 South African Rands, 32,000.00 CFA, 100 Turkiya, and 500 Bank Mozambique currencies in different denominations. Additionally, a safe abandoned by one of the street hawkers was also found.
Furthermore, preliminary investigations revealed that some of the suspects are foreigners from Niger Republic, and legal proceedings will be initiated against them.
The EFCC and the Joint Task Force’s swift and decisive action underscores their commitment to combating illegal financial activities and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria. The collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies is paramount in addressing such criminal activities and maintaining the integrity of the country’s financial system.
The EFCC encourages citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities to the appropriate authorities. By working together, we can effectively combat financial crimes and protect the economic well-being of the nation.
As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s financial system, the EFCC continues to work closely with other law enforcement agencies to enforce financial regulations and ensure compliance with the law. The arrest of the 115 suspected currency racketeers is a significant achievement in the fight against financial crimes and serves as a warning to would-be perpetrators.
The EFCC affirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of financial transactions in Nigeria. The agency remains dedicated to its mission of combating financial crimes and protecting the nation’s economic well-being.
The EFCC urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities to the appropriate authorities. By working together, we can effectively combat financial crimes and protect the economic integrity of the nation.
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