By Elizabeth Godwin
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a driver, identified simply as Akande, for allegedly being in possession of counterfeit currency worth ₦1 million in ₦1,000 notes.
Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday. He said the suspect was intercepted by the Command’s Federal Highway Patrol Team during a routine stop-and-search operation around the Guru Maharaj Ji area of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday.
Akande, who was reportedly en route to Osogbo, was driving a green Toyota Sienna with Lagos registration number FKJ 443 YG. Officers became suspicious of his behaviour and conducted a thorough search of the vehicle, during which they discovered the counterfeit cash concealed in a transparent plastic parcel sealed with tape.
According to Osifeso, the notes amounted to ₦1 million, all in ₦1,000 denomination, but bore only three serial numbers: 235923 (₦500,000), 235922 (₦300,000), and 235921 (₦200,000).
During interrogation, the suspect claimed he was merely acting as a courier. He said the package had been handed to him by an unidentified person in Ojota, Lagos, with instructions to deliver it in Osogbo. He added that he was neither given the recipient’s name nor contact details, and was told the parcel contained body cream.
Osifeso stressed that the Command remains committed to tackling currency counterfeiting and other financial crimes that undermine Nigeria’s economy. He assured the public that investigations into the case are ongoing and updates will be provided as they unfold.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
