POS: EFCC Arrests 80 Operators For Extortion, Selling Naira
About 80 Point of Sales (PoS) agents, suspected to be buying and selling money to members of the public with higher interest were arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Ondo over the weekend.
It was gathered that the anti-corruption agents who moved around the state capital, Akure, discovered some agents charging higher rates and arrested some of the agents.
It was noticed that most of the PoS stands had been deserted by their owners over the fear of being arrested by the security operatives combing the state capital.
Some residents who spoke to our correspondent alleged that some PoS agents have been buying cash from banks, and they charge their customers exorbitantly while selling the money to them.
According to an eyewitness, who said the operatives stormed the popular Oja-Oba market along Oba Adesida road in Akure and arrested about 80 PoS agents.
“They have arrested about 80 PoS attendants in Oja Oba area, they visited these PoS centres to find out the amount they are charging customers and also ask customers at the centers. If it’s above the normal amount, they will be arrested.
“Some PoS attendants, who got wind of the development before the security agents get to the center, flee and close for the day.
A neighbour to one of the POS agents arrested, said: “She was here attending to customers when a woman came and asked how much he charges for every thousand naira.
“As at the time the transaction was made, I saw the woman who signaled to some men who whisked her away. But it is sad the way at which the PoS vendors have been exploiting residents because they have no option since banks are not opening.
“The PoS agents are making too many gains. You can imagine charging N250 for each N1,000 transaction. I hope the CBN would fulfill its promises of flooding the banks with naira notes to rescue the public from the extortion by the PoS vendors.”
Credit: Nigerian Tribune