The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 62-year-old man identified as Tahir Ahmed on suspicion of possessing counterfeit currency.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesman of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, stated that the suspect was found with a total of N238,000 in suspected fake currency on August 8, 2024, while en route to Bauchi.
Wakil explained that a concerned citizen from Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State had boarded the same commercial Vectra vehicle with the suspect from Sabon Garin Narabi, Toro LGA, heading to Bauchi.
He said during the journey, at Tilden Fulani market in Toro LGA, Bauchi State, Tahir Ahmed joined the vehicle.
The suspect was said to have allegedly transformed some papers into what appeared to be new N1000 notes through ritualistic chanting, raising suspicions that the notes were counterfeit.
“Upon arrival in Bauchi metropolis near Yandoka Road, a good Samaritan reported the incident to the police. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime,” Wakil said.
SP Wakil stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
He added that Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Muhammad has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to request forensic analysis from the Central Bank of Nigeria to determine the authenticity of the suspected currency notes.