Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested three persons over the alleged mutilation of the Naira by using it as tissue paper to clean mucus from their noses.
The suspects, identified as Adam Muhammad, Muhammad Muhammad and Bashir Musa, were arrested after a video circulated on social media showed them cleaning mucus from their noses with a ₦500 note.
A statement on Thursday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the video triggered investigations that led to the trailing and arrest of the suspects within the Maiduguri metropolis.
He said the suspects are currently in custody at the agency’s Maiduguri detention facility, where investigations are ongoing.
The EFCC added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The statement read, “The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested three individuals over alleged Naira mutilation. The suspects are: Adam Muhammad, Muhammad Muhammad and Bashir Musa. Adam, Muhammad and Musa were arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where they were seen cleaning mucus from their nose using a N500 Naira note.
“Following the release of the video, the Commission traced the trio and arrested them in the Maiduguri metropolis area. The suspects are currently under investigation at the Maiduguri detention facility, while the investigation is ongoing. The suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.”
The suspects’ arrest comes amid renewed enforcement of laws against the abuse and mutilation of the Naira by the EFCC.
Lately, the commission has intensified arrests and investigations of individuals accused of defacing the national currency, including the recent arrest of a Kannywood actor, Saminu Inuwa, over alleged Naira mutilation.
The development reflects EFCC’s broader effort to curb practices considered to undermine the integrity of the Nigerian currency.
