Connect with us

News

Police arrest 3 suspects with N129bn counterfeit currencies, ammunitions

By: Amaechi Okoro

Published

on

currency

In a significant breakthrough, the Kano State Police Command has apprehended three suspects found in possession of counterfeit currencies totaling an astonishing N129,542,826,000.

This remarkable operation underscores the police’s commitment to combating financial crimes that threaten Nigeria’s economic stability and public trust.

The arrest, announced on December 10 by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Kiyawa, revealed that the recovered fake currencies included US Dollars, CFA Francs, and Naira.

These counterfeit funds were also traced to a robbery involving another dealer of illicit currencies, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

SP Kiyawa detailed the staggering recovery figures, which included counterfeit currencies equivalent to One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Billion, Five Hundred and Forty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand Naira (N129,542,823,000).

The breakdown included $3,366,000 in US Dollars, CFA51,970,000 in West African Francs, and N1,443,000 in counterfeit Naira. The extensive amount highlights the scale and sophistication of the criminal operation the police managed to disrupt.

The Kano State Police Command’s operation reflects a well-coordinated effort aimed at identifying and dismantling the networks responsible for counterfeit currency production.

The three suspects are currently in police custody, assisting in investigations to trace the source and uncover the methods employed in creating and distributing the fake currencies. The police are optimistic that this breakthrough will lead to the apprehension of the masterminds behind the operation and prevent further economic damage.

The police noted that two of the arrested individuals were caught with the fake funds, while the third suspect was the victim of a theft involving these counterfeit currencies.

READ ALSO:  Nigerian music producer, Don Jazzy loses mother to cancer

This unusual twist emphasizes the wide-reaching impact of counterfeit activities, affecting not only the economy but also individuals entangled in illegal dealings.

Beyond the counterfeit money, the operation yielded additional significant recoveries. The police seized six live ammunition rounds, three tricycles, eight motorcycles, and three parcels containing 175 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

These items indicate a connection between the counterfeit currency operation and other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and theft.

Moreover, the police recovered 250 pieces of diazepam tablets, a controlled substance often misused, further demonstrating the suspects’ involvement in unlawful activities.

The command also secured 278 sheep and seven cattle, raising suspicions about livestock theft as another component of the criminal enterprise.

The arrest highlights the pivotal role of the police in maintaining economic security. Counterfeit currency poses a severe threat to financial systems, leading to inflation, loss of public trust in the monetary system, and disruptions in economic activities.

By intercepting such a large quantity of fake money, the police have effectively curtailed the potential damage this operation could have inflicted on Nigeria’s economy.

The police’s swift action also underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and the public in tackling financial crimes. Public awareness campaigns about counterfeit currency and timely reporting of suspicious activities play a crucial role in aiding police operations.

Despite this success, the fight against counterfeit currency remains a significant challenge for law enforcement. Advances in printing technology have enabled criminals to produce fake money that closely resembles genuine notes, making detection more difficult. Furthermore, the involvement of transnational criminal networks complicates investigations, as counterfeit currency often crosses borders before being circulated.

READ ALSO:  BREAKING: Critically Endangered Gorilla Spotted Again in Cross River Forest

The police face additional challenges in tracing the origin of counterfeit notes, as operations are often decentralized, with different groups handling production, distribution, and circulation.

However, the Kano State Police Command’s recent success demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and the commitment of officers to protect the public.

In light of this operation, the police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving counterfeit currencies. Recognizing fake money requires careful inspection, including checking for security features such as watermarks, holograms, and color-shifting ink.

Financial institutions and businesses are also encouraged to invest in counterfeit detection devices to minimize the circulation of fake notes.

The PPRO emphasized the need for community support in tackling financial crimes, stating, “The police cannot work alone. We need the cooperation of the public to identify and report suspicious activities promptly. Together, we can safeguard our economy and ensure the safety of our communities.”

The successful recovery of counterfeit currencies and associated criminal items by the Kano State Police Command serves as a deterrent to other criminal networks. It sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies are vigilant and capable of disrupting even the most sophisticated operations.

The operation also highlights the interconnected nature of various criminal activities. Counterfeit currency operations often fund other illegal enterprises, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and organized theft.

By targeting these networks, the police contribute not only to economic security but also to broader crime prevention efforts.

To build on this success, the police must continue to invest in training, technology, and inter-agency collaboration. Advanced counterfeit detection equipment, forensic analysis capabilities, and international partnerships are essential for tackling the growing sophistication of counterfeit operations.

READ ALSO:  Minna Emir’s palace attack: Police alleges in-house conspiracy

Furthermore, public education campaigns about the dangers and consequences of counterfeit currency can help reduce demand and discourage individuals from participating in such activities. By fostering a culture of integrity and vigilance, the police and the public can work together to create a safer, more secure society.

The Kano State Police Command’s arrest of three suspects with counterfeit currencies totaling over N129 billion marks a significant achievement in the fight against financial crimes.

This operation, which also uncovered weapons, drugs, and stolen livestock, underscores the police’s dedication to protecting the economy and ensuring public safety.

As investigations continue, the police remain committed to dismantling the networks behind this operation and preventing future incidents. By maintaining vigilance, fostering community cooperation, and leveraging advanced technologies, law enforcement agencies can continue to combat the threat of counterfeit currency and its associated crimes.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

Published

on

IGP withdraws all policemen attached to Kogi ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.

The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.

Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.

INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.

During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.

He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.

Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”

Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.

He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”

He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.

The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.

READ ALSO:  Attack on Anambra security op-s: police boss visits scene, orders manhunt of assailant

He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.

Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”

Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.

The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.

He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.

Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.

Watch the video below.

Continue Reading

Africa

Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

Published

on

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.

“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.

Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.

He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.

The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.

He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.

Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”

General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.

He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”

Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.

He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.

READ ALSO:  Flooding: Wike queries FG, Uzodinma over $12.5m Calabar port contract fraud

They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.

General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.

He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”

He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.

Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.

He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”

The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.

General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.

Continue Reading

Health

Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Published

on

Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.

The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.

DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.

According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.

A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.

Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.

Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.

The health centre has since been found abandoned.

DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.

She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.

READ ALSO:  Flooding: Wike queries FG, Uzodinma over $12.5m Calabar port contract fraud

This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.

Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.

As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.

Continue Reading

News

Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

Published

on

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”

Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.

If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.

Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.

Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.

The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.

Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.

Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.

READ ALSO:  Canada rejects over 13,000 asylum applications from Nigerians

“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.

The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.

“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.

Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.

“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.

The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.

Continue Reading

News

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

Published

on

Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.

“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.

“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.

“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.

I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.

The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.

Continue Reading

Latest from DDM TV

Latest Updates

VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

Tinubu Secures Fresh $238m Loan from Japan

‘Gate of Hell’ Will Open on Gaza’– Israeli Defence Issues Finally Warning to Hamas

NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Fake Cowbell Milk Floods Nigerian Markets

‘Misplaced Priority’: Peter Obi Blasts FG’s ₦142bn Bus Terminal Project

Why I’ll never encourage my son to visit Nigeria — Taribo West

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Trending

Copyright © 2023 -2024 Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) www.diasporadigitalmedia.com. All Rights Reserved . NOTE: All opinion articles published on Diaspora Digital Media are ENTIRELY those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers.

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks