The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman, Fatima Muhammed, in Maiduguri following a viral video in which she allegedly mishandled the Nigerian currency.
According to a statement from the commission, Muhammed was taken into custody by operatives from its Maiduguri Zonal Directorate on April 7, 2025, after widespread public outrage over the clip that circulated on TikTok.
Inside Borno:
Police recover 7 unexploded bombs in Borno
Bandits attack Borno kill 4 Police officer
Borno Teens Hide Bomb in Flask, Attempt Hospital Attack
EFCC Arrests Three for Illegal Gold Mining in Borno
Boko haram kill Major, 3 soldiers, hunter in Borno
Troops kill Over 50 Insurgents, Thwart Multiple Attacks in Borno, Yobe
The video reportedly showed Muhammed using a ₦500 note to clean mucus from her nose, an act the EFCC described as an abuse of the naira under Nigerian law.
The commission said its operatives immediately traced the suspect to her location in Maiduguri, where she was arrested and is currently being held at the EFCC detention facility as investigations continue.
Authorities confirmed that Muhammed will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The arrest highlights the EFCC’s renewed commitment to enforcing laws against the abuse or mutilation of the naira, which officials say undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s national currency.
About the Author
