ONDO, Nigeria – Police in Ondo State have arrested a suspect and seized three bags of suspected counterfeit US dollar bills after raiding an alleged currency forgery operation in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out on October 29 at Kiniso Village near Ajue, followed an investigation into a suspected currency fraud reported by a businessman in Okitipupa. The Ondo State Police Command disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Akure on Tuesday, explaining that operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters tracked the location following a complaint received on October 28.
According to the police, the complainant, Yusuf Nasiru, who resides in Sabo, Okitipupa, reported that two individuals, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, had approached his business premises on October 25 seeking to exchange US dollars for naira. Nasiru reportedly handed over $6,000, valued at approximately ₦8.6 million, to the individuals. However, they later returned the dollar notes, claiming they could not raise the equivalent amount in naira.
The complainant said he subsequently examined the notes and discovered that they were counterfeit before reporting the incident to the police. Acting on the information, officers raided the suspected production site, recovering three bags containing suspected forged dollar bills and a wooden container believed to be connected to the operation.
The police said one suspect was arrested during the raid, while others allegedly escaped by jumping over the surrounding fence. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that Peter Desmond was in custody and cooperating with investigators.
Jimoh said investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the operation, identify other suspects and determine the source and intended circulation of the counterfeit currency.
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