Officials from the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in collaboration with a Joint Task Force consisting of five teams from the Nigeria Police Force and three teams from the Nigeria Customs Service, apprehended 115 individuals suspected of engaging in currency racketeering in Enugu State on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The suspects, comprising 113 men and two women, were arrested during a sting operation on Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu State, based on credible intelligence regarding illegal foreign exchange activities being carried out by bureau de change operators, currency speculators, and street hawkers in the area.
Various items were seized from the suspects, including N110,700,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira), $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.
Additionally, a safe that had been abandoned by one of the street hawkers was recovered. Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the suspects are foreigners from Niger Republic.
