Police arrest driver with N1m fake currency in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended a driver for allegedly transporting N1 million in counterfeit banknotes.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.

He said the driver was stopped by the Federal Highway Patrol Team during a routine check on Friday evening.

“The suspect was intercepted at around 8:45 pm near the Guru Maharaj Ji area on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway while driving a green Sienna with Lagos registration FKJ 443 YG,” Osifeso said.

Officers grew suspicious of the driver’s behaviour and searched the vehicle.

“We discovered approximately N1,000,000 in N1,000-denomination notes.

“The cash had only three serial numbers: ₦500,000 (235923), ₦300,000 (235922), and ₦200,000 (235921), all wrapped in a transparent plastic parcel sealed with tape,” he added.

When questioned, the driver claimed he was acting as a courier, having received the package from an unidentified person in Ojota, Lagos, and was instructed to deliver it to Osogbo, Osun State, without being given the recipient’s name or contact information.

He also said he was told the parcel contained body cream.

Osifeso reassured the public that the police remain committed to combating currency fraud and other financial crimes that threaten the economy and community safety.

He added that investigations are ongoing and urged citizens to report suspicious activities.

“We call on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement in curbing financial crimes,” he said.

PUNCH