The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened an investigation into a viral video showing an unidentified man spraying bundles of naira notes inside a church in Warri, Delta State.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development, stating that the commission was already reviewing the footage and noting, “The matter is under investigation,” according to PUNCH.
The video, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media, shows the man spraying various denominations, including N200, N50, and N20 notes, on a dark-coloured cow brought into the church during what appeared to be a thanksgiving ceremony.
A woman beside him held a large pile of cash while he continued spraying.
The atmosphere in the church took on the tone of a social party, with hip-hop music blasting as the church’s pastor sang in Urhobo.
A hype man repeatedly hailed the man as a “young billionaire,” urging congregants to recognise him as he threw money amid loud cheers.
The footage has drawn heavy criticism online. A user identified as Fortis wrote, “This is very offensive to watch. More worrisome is the fact that children are even in this congregation. This is indeed disgraceful.”
Another user, @BishopBoye, commented, “They didn’t do 1/10 of what these people are doing before Jesus flogged them at the temple. 2,000 years later, just look at this.”
Similarly, Ituma Sunny said, “Please don’t call this a church. There is no real church that will tolerate this nonsense.”
Asiegbu Odenigbo added, “Yahoo boy doing thanksgiving in a yahoo church for the yahoo pastor.”
John Vianney Dominic described the act as “Baal worship,” warning that “those who attended need deliverance.”
Another user, Prince Ade-Chameleon, alleged, “It will interest you to know that these aren’t yahoo boys but kidnappers.”
However, when contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edefa, did not answer calls to his mobile phone.
Naira abuse has remained a persistent issue in Nigeria, particularly at social and religious events where spraying money is viewed as a display of wealth.
The practice contravenes Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which prohibits the tampering and mishandling of the nation’s currency.
The EFCC has intensified its clampdown on currency mutilation, making several arrests and securing convictions in recent years.
The agency has insisted that the abuse of the naira undermines its dignity, encourages illicit financial conduct, and contributes to economic disorder.
