THE Department of State Services (DSS) said it has intercepted some syndicates allegedly selling the newly redesigned Naira notes in parts of the country.
Spokesperson of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, made this known in a statement released today in Abuja.
According to the syndicates were intercepted by operatives of the service during an operation.
He said, “Investigation has also shown that some Commercial Bank officials were aiding the economic malfeasance. Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act.
“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trends.”
Afunanya further said that the DSS has ordered its commands and formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes were identified.
The DSS spokesman urged anyone with useful information relating to the sales of the new currency to pass the same to relevant authorities.
While the new currency notes are reportedly unavailable in the banks, a development that saw stampede at some Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) points, viral videos of it being sprayed at parties in the country abound online.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday extended the deadline for the use of the old notes till February 10.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, announcing the extension in a statement signed on Sunday, said that the apex bank has sought approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the deadline for the use of the old notes for 10 days.
Recall that the CBN first informed Nigerians about the plan to redesign the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes on October 26, 2022, saying the old notes would no longer be valid after January 31, 2023.
