IG Orders Arrest Of Those Mutilating, Hoarding Naira

By Uche Mbah

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has issued an order for the arrest and prosecution of  anyone that engages in selling, abusing or mutilating of the Naira notes.

Reports of scarce new Naira notes surfacing at social functions for “spraying” are rife. Recently, an actress, (name withheld) was arrested and grilled for spraying and marching on new Naira notes at a party.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Friday, said the directive is in line with upholding the Federal Government’s policy on the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007, and respect for Nigeria’s currency.

The IGP therefore ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau to swing into action and place their officers on high alert.

“Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Police Commands and Formations to carry out full enforcement of the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 which criminalizes amongst other things the hawking, selling or otherwise trading, spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira notes, falsifying or counterfeiting of bank notes, refusal to accept the Naira as a means of payment, tampering with the coin or note issued by the CBN”, the statement read.

“The Inspector-General of Police reiterated the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to enforce all laws and regulations without any prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies and urged all and sundry to cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force as it brings the long arm of the law to bear upon all violators of the provisions of the CBN Act, and other extant statutes in Nigeria, with a view to having a well-policed society in all ramifications within the country.”