The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended three individuals in connection with suspected currency racketeering.

The EFCC established a Special Task Force across its Zonal Commands to combat the challenges posed by the dollarisation of the economy.

In a Wednesday statement, the anti-graft agency revealed it had summoned proprietors of private universities and other higher learning institutions in Nigeria that charge fees in dollars.

The Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, clarified that the task force aims to enforce existing laws against currency mutilation and the dollarisation of the economy, as stated by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede during the inauguration of the task force in Abuja.

According to the statement, the EFCC has already arrested some persons allegedly engaging in issuing invoices in dollars and mutilating the Naira in Lagos and Port Harcourt, although no number was mentioned.

Oyewale, in a statement on Wednesday, said some persons were arrested in connection with suspected currency racketeering.

He said the suspects – Musa Gideon, Abdul Seidu Adamu and Justine Musa – were arrested along Yakubu Gowon Way, Kaduna on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, “while trying to sell new naira notes to an EFCC’s undercover operative”.

He said, “The operative, a member of the Special Task Force set up for the enforcement of extant laws against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, functioned in a sting operation carried out by the Team.

“The operation yielded the arrest of the three suspects selling new and old naira notes to the tune of N1,307,400 (One Million Three Hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) and many Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards.

“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”