National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has directed operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), to clamp down on forex market speculators.
The clamp down, Ribadu said, i a concerted effort to safeguard Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and combat the activities of speculators, both domestic and international, operating through various channels.
But despite the clamp down including the raid on the Wuse Zone 4 Abuja base of Bureau de Change operators by the security agencies, the naira dipped further, trading at N1,825 to a dollar on Tuesday.
Indeed, the slide of the naira has ignored the raid or pronouncement of the government and continued its rapid decline, dipping from N1,700 on Monday to the dollar to N1,825 to a dollar 24 hours later.
The NSA, who spoke through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in Abuja, said on Tuesday that the office had to wade in at this time because some individuals and organisations had continued to undermine proactive measures of the CBN to stabilise the foreign exchange market and stimulate economic activities.
“In a concerted effort to safeguard Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and combat speculative activities, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are joining forces to address challenges impacting the nation’s economic stability.
“The CBN’s proactive measures to stabilize the foreign exchange market and stimulate economic activities have been commendable.
“However, the effectiveness of these initiatives is being undermined by the activities of speculators, both domestic and international, operating through various channels, thereby exacerbating the depreciation of the Nigerian Naira and contributing to inflation and economic instability.
“Recall that, to address the exchange rate volatility, the CBN initiated a comprehensive strategy to enhance liquidity in the forex market, including unifying FX market segments, clearing outstanding FX obligations, introducing new operational mechanisms for Bureau De Change operators, enforcing the Net Open Position limit for commercial banks, and adjusting the remunerable Standing Deposit Facility cap.
“To reduce the pressure on the naira, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised a 7,000-man special task force across its 14 zonal commands to clamp down on dollar racketeers.
“Yet, recent intelligence reports have highlighted continued illicit activities within the Nigerian foreign exchange market, the ONSA and CBN are therefore embarking on this collaborative approach to tackle these infractions.
“This partnership will involve a coordinated effort with key law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“The primary objective of this alliance is to systematically identify, thoroughly investigate and appropriately penalize individuals and organizations involved in wrongful activities within the FX market,” the official said.
The NSA said by leveraging the expertise of those four security agencies, the government aimed at deterring what he described as “malicious practices”, in order to protect investors’ interest and promote sustainable economic growth.
He added, “This joint effort underscores the commitment of the Nigerian government to improving its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and exiting the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force.
“In addition, the efforts will make progress in ensuring a stable and transparent foreign exchange market, fostering investor confidence, and advancing the nation’s economic well-being.”
The Tinubu administration had liberalised the exchange rate, leading to the freefall of the naira.
The official exchange rate fell from N463.38/$ to over N1,500 to a dollar while at the parallel market, the naira is now above N1,700 to a dollar.
Daily Trust reports that on Monday, naira plummeted further against the United States dollar across both the official and unofficial markets.
According to data published on the FMDQ website, the local currency closed at N1,598.54/$1 at the official market on Monday as against N1,537.96 recorded in the previous market last Friday.
Monday’s rate represents a 3.94 per cent depreciation from the previous market rate last Friday.