Another Nigerian arrested for naira mutilation in Maiduguri

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman, Fatima Muhammed, over alleged mutilation of the Nigerian currency in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of its Maiduguri Zonal Directorate on 7 April 2025 following a viral video on TikTok.

According to the commission, Muhammed was seen in the video using a ₦500 note to clean mucus from her nose, an act considered an abuse of the naira.

“Following the release of the video, operatives of the Commission traced and arrested her in the Maiduguri metropolis area,” the EFCC said.

The suspect is currently in custody at the commission’s detention facility in Maiduguri, where investigations are ongoing. The EFCC added that she would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Rising enforcement of naira abuse laws

Muhammed’s arrest is the latest in a series of actions by the EFCC targeting the abuse and mutilation of the naira, particularly acts captured and circulated on social media.

In recent months, the commission has arrested multiple suspects in Maiduguri under similar circumstances, including individuals filmed using ₦500 notes to wipe their noses, with authorities tracing them through viral videos and placing them under investigation .

The crackdown reflects renewed enforcement of long-standing laws prohibiting the defacing, spraying, or mishandling of the national currency. Although such practices—especially spraying money at social events—have deep cultural roots in Nigeria, authorities have increasingly moved to criminalise them in a bid to protect the integrity of the naira .

Legal implications

Under Nigerian law, the abuse or mutilation of the naira is punishable by fines or imprisonment. In some recent high-profile cases, offenders have received custodial sentences of up to six months.

For instance, popular cross-dresser Bobrisky was in April 2024 sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the abuse of naira notes .

The EFCC, established in 2003 to combat financial crimes including fraud and economic sabotage, has in recent years expanded enforcement to include currency-related offences as part of broader efforts to instil respect for the nation’s legal tender .

Public debate

While the commission maintains that strict enforcement is necessary to safeguard the naira, the crackdown has generated debate among Nigerians.

Critics argue that the focus on currency abuse—often involving ordinary citizens—diverts attention from larger corruption cases, while others see it as a necessary step to promote discipline and preserve the value of the national currency.

Despite the controversy, the EFCC has continued to intensify surveillance, particularly on social media platforms, where many of the incidents leading to arrests are first detected.

For now, Muhammed joins a growing list of Nigerians facing prosecution as authorities tighten enforcement against acts deemed to undermine the country’s currency.