Police Detain 62-Year-Old Man in Bauchi for Possessing Counterfeit Naira Notes

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 62-year-old man with the sum of N238,000 counterfeit notes.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, said the suspect was arrested after he allegedly used a ritual to turn paper into new N1,000 notes while on board a commercial vehicle from Tilden-Fulani to Bauchi.

“On the 6th of August, 2024, at approximately 09:00 AM, a concerned citizen from Jos North LGA, Plateau State boarded a commercial Vectra vehicle from Sabon Garin Narabi Toro LGA, Bauchi State, en route to Bauchi,” the statement read.

“Upon reaching Tilden Fulani Market in Toro LGA, Bauchi State, a 62-year-old man named Tahir Ahmed stopped the vehicle and joined the journey to Bauchi.

“While in transit, Tahir Ahmed allegedly transformed some papers into new one thousand naira notes through what appeared to be ritualistic chanting, giving rise to suspicion that the notes might be counterfeit. Upon reaching Bauchi metropolitan around Yandoka Road, a Good Samaritan reported to the police station.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to the aforementioned crime. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further details related to this incident.”

A sum of two hundred and thirty-eight thousand (N238,000) naira suspected to be counterfeit notes were recovered from the suspect.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to send a request letter to the Central Bank of Nigeria for forensic analysis to determine the authenticity of the suspected currency notes.

Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police is urging the public to continue their collaboration with the police and other law enforcement agencies in combating crime and maintaining law and order in our communities.