Inspector General of Police Usman Baba has ordered the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the sale or abuse of Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He directed the Deputy Inspector‑General of Police heading the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector‑General of Police overseeing the Force Intelligence Bureau to place officers nationwide on high alert to implement these directives.
The police chief said this action aligns with the federal government’s policy to uphold the provisions of the CBN Act 2007 and to dignify Nigeria’s currency. Force spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed the order in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday. The IGP also instructed all supervisory AIGs and Commissioners of Police responsible for police commands and formations to enforce Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act 2007 fully. These sections criminalize, among other offenses, the hawking, selling or trading of Naira notes; spraying, dancing or matching on the notes; falsifying or counterfeiting bank notes; refusing to accept Naira as payment; and tampering with coins or notes issued by the CBN.
Adejobi added that the IGP reaffirmed the NPF’s mandate to enforce all laws and regulations without prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies. He urged “all and sundry” to cooperate with the police as it brings the long arm of the law to bear on violators of the CBN Act and other existing statutes, aiming for a well‑policed society throughout the country.
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