Authorities from the Bauchi State Police Command have taken into custody a 62-year-old individual named Tahir Ahmed under suspicion of being in possession of counterfeit currency.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the said individual was discovered with a total of N238,000 in alleged fake money on August 8, 2024, while on his way to Bauchi.
Wakil detailed that a vigilant resident from Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State had shared a commercial Vectra vehicle with the suspect from Sabon Garin Narabi, Toro LGA, en route to Bauchi.
He recounted that during the journey, at Tilden Fulani market in Toro LGA, Bauchi State, Tahir Ahmed boarded the vehicle.
Reportedly, it was suspected that the suspect had unlawfully transformed certain papers into what seemed to be newly minted N1000 notes through what was believed to be ritualistic incantations, arousing doubts about the legitimacy of the currency.
“After reaching Bauchi metropolis near Yandoka Road, a concerned citizen alerted law enforcement about the incident. Following questioning, the suspect supposedly admitted to the offense,” stated Wakil.
SP Wakil mentioned that investigations are ongoing to unravel further information pertaining to the situation.
He also divulged that Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Muhammad instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department to request forensic examination from the Central Bank of Nigeria in order to confirm the validity of the suspected currency in question.