EFCC Arrests Maiduguri Woman for Cleaning Nose With N500 Note

EFCC Arrests Maiduguri Woman for Cleaning Nose With N500 Note

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman in Maiduguri, Borno State, following a viral video showing her cleaning mucus from her nose using a ₦500 naira note, an act considered naira mutilation under Nigerian law.

The suspect, identified as Fatima Muhammed, was apprehended on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, after the video circulated widely on TikTok. EFCC operatives tracked and arrested her within the Maiduguri metropolis, highlighting the commission’s vigilance against misuse of Nigeria’s legal tender.

In a statement, EFCC confirmed the arrest and said Fatima Muhammed is being detained at the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the commission as investigations continue. She will be charged to court once sufficient evidence is gathered.

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“The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arrested one Fatima Muhammed for an alleged Naira mutilation. This followed the circulation of a viral video where the suspect was seen cleaning her nose with a ₦500 note,” the statement read.

The commission reiterated that currency abuse is a punishable offence, and such acts undermine the integrity and value of the Nigerian naira. EFCC has in recent months intensified enforcement against naira mutilation, especially incidents recorded on social media platforms.

The arrest has drawn mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the focus on naira mutilation amid broader economic challenges, while others support the EFCC’s efforts to protect the national currency.

EFCC Arrests Maiduguri Woman for Cleaning Nose With N500 Note