Nigerian Police Uncover Suspected Fake Dollar Factory, Arrest One Suspect
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected counterfeit currency production site in Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake United States dollar notes.
The operation was carried out on October 29 at Kiniso Village, near Ajue, following a complaint by a businessman who allegedly received counterfeit dollars during a currency exchange transaction.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the police, the complainant, identified as Yusuf Nasiru, reported that two men, Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, both residents of Ode-Irele, approached him at his shop on October 25 to exchange US dollars for their naira equivalent.
Nasiru reportedly handed over $6,000, estimated at about ₦8.6 million, to the men.
However, while waiting to receive the naira equivalent, the suspects allegedly returned the dollar notes, claiming they did not have enough money to complete the transaction, before leaving.
The complainant later discovered that the notes returned to him were counterfeit and subsequently reported the matter to the police.
Jimoh said operatives of the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation and, through intelligence gathering and technical tracking, traced one of the suspects, Peter Desmond, to Kiniso Village.
Acting on information from residents, the operatives raided the suspected hideout, arresting one person while other occupants reportedly escaped through a perimeter fence.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit US dollar notes and a small wooden box, which were taken into police custody as exhibits.
The police spokesman said the arrested suspect had provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed investigators to intensify efforts to arrest other suspects allegedly connected to the operation and establish the extent of the suspected counterfeit currency network.
The command warned residents against suspicious foreign exchange transactions with unverified individuals, urging them to use recognised and authorised channels and authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them.
It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The Daily Reality