The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 62-year-old man, Tahir Ahmed, on charges of producing counterfeit naira notes.
The arrest was announced by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Ahmed Wakil, in a press release on Tuesday.
According to The PUNCH, Wakil said the incident came to light on August 6, 2024, when a concerned citizen from Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State boarded a commercial Vectra vehicle in Sabon Garin Narabi, Toro LGA, Bauchi State, heading to Bauchi.
During the journey, the vehicle stopped at Tilden Fulani Market in Toro LGA, where Tahir Ahmed joined the trip.
“While on the journey, the suspect allegedly transformed some papers into new one-thousand naira notes through what appeared to be ritualistic chanting,” Wakil stated. “This raised suspicion among the passengers that the notes might be counterfeit.”
Upon arrival in Bauchi, a Good Samaritan reported the incident to the police station near Yandoka Road. The police quickly intervened, leading to Ahmed’s arrest.
“After a series of interrogations, the suspect admitted to the crime,” Wakil continued.
“The police recovered a sum of two hundred and thirty-eight thousand naira, which is suspected to be counterfeit.”
The Police Command has initiated further investigations into the case. Wakil added, “The Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to send a request to the Central Bank of Nigeria for forensic analysis to verify the authenticity of the seized currency notes.”
This case underscores the Bauchi Police Command’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s currency.
