The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, carried out simultaneous sting operations against Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in Abuja and Kano State.
Naija News gathered that the EFCC operatives backed by armed policemen stormed their makeshift stalls located opposite Sheraton Hotel in Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja and arrested many of the BDC operators and customers.
The arrested suspects were dragged into waiting vehicles as the raid stalled traffic in the area and disrupted the day’s business in Abuja.
It was gathered that the raids in the two cities would also be extended to Lagos, Onitsha, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other major cities across the country to stop BDC operators from ‘destroying the naira.’
Giving an insight into the raids in Abuja and Kano, a senior EFCC official explained that the anti-graft agency has been monitoring the activities of forex dealers in the two cities,since the CBN announced the redesign of the naira.
The official states that the operations were intelligence-led, adding that the agency would continue with the investigation of BDC operators in other states.
He said: “Today’s (Tuesday) operations were successful as they were intelligence-led. We have placed various bureau de change points under watch since the CBN announced the redesign of the naira.
“So, we know that those with illegal wealth would want to take advantage of the development to off-load their stash and convert it to dollars. It is not a one-off operation; it would be extended to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Onitsha and other cities.”
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