DSS raids Bureau De Change in Abuja & Lagos, Forces Dollar Rate Down to N400

 

Officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) have raided two major Bureau de Change markets in Lagos and Abuja in an attempt to end speculation in the foreign exchange parallel market.

Sources said that the DSS have earlier directed the officials of the BDCs association to peg the dollar at N400 while selling and peg it at N390 while buying from customers.

Immediately after the directives, the DSS operatives commenced the enforcement of the order by arresting erring members that sold the dollar above N400 and or bought above N390.

During the 2-day operations, which took place between Tuesday and Wednesday, some traders were arrested, according to Daily Trust reports.

Sources said about five operators were arrested in Abuja and Lagos as at yesterday.

During a visit to Zone 4, a cluster of BDC shops in Abuja, slow activities were observed as both the traders and customers were jittery.

A trader who pleaded for anonymity said it was difficult to see the dollar to buy or sell in the market because, nobody was willing to sell at the new rates by the DSS.

He said when customers heard of the new rate of N390 a dollar they usually turned back.

He said the best way out was for CBN to flood the market with enough forex, instead of using force to address the problem.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Issac Okorafor, confirmed the activities of the DSS in the BDC market. He said most of the people arrested were unlicensed operators who were taking advantage of speculation to reap illegal money.