Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested six individuals suspected of operating a sophisticated currency counterfeiting ring that defrauded a victim of ₦49.21 million under the false promise of producing money for him. The suspects were apprehended following an intelligence‑led operation that uncovered large quantities of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies, including West African CFA franc notes and Moroccan currency, as well as ritual items and mobile phones used in the fraudulent scheme. The command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, announced the breakthrough on Sunday, May 17, 2026, describing the arrests as a significant achievement in the fight against financial crime and deception in the state.
The investigation began on May 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., when a victim residing near the New Prison Area in Potiskum filed a formal complaint. According to the police statement, the victim reported that in March 2026, the suspects conspired to defraud him under the pretext of multiplying or producing currency for him. The suspects allegedly collected ₦49.21 million from the victim, with part of the sum, specifically ₦430,000, traced to an OPay account belonging to one of the suspects, Badaru Alhassan Gadau. The remainder of the money was taken in cash. After receiving the payment, the suspects failed to deliver on their promise and reportedly coerced the complainant into swearing an oath on the Qur’an, threatening him with death if he disclosed the transaction to anyone.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, personnel from the Yindiski Division in Potiskum launched an intelligence‑driven operation that led to the arrest of five suspects initially: Abdullahi Hassan, 40; Mohammed Badaru, 53; Ya’u Adamu Yellow, 25; Adamu Umar Doctor, 35; and Salisu Abdullahi, 25. A sixth suspect was later apprehended, bringing the total number of arrests to six. During the operation, police recovered large amounts of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies from various countries, including West African CFA franc notes and Moroccan currency. Also seized were several mobile phones, white cloth materials, calabash and ritual‑related items, containers with unidentified substances, a backpack, and other items believed to have been used in fraudulent activities to deceive victims. All exhibits have been documented and are undergoing further forensic and investigative analysis.
The suspects have reportedly admitted their involvement in the crime and are cooperating with investigators. The Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin Kanfani, commended the operatives for their professionalism and successful operation. He ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the case and directed intensified efforts to capture other fleeing members of the syndicate. The CP also ordered increased surveillance and continuous 24‑hour patrols across the state to ensure that Yobe remains inhospitable to criminal elements.
The case highlights the growing trend of fraudsters using promises of currency multiplication or money production to defraud unsuspecting victims. The use of religious oaths and threats of death to silence victims is particularly alarming and underscores the desperation and ruthlessness of the syndicate. The police have urged members of the public to be wary of any individual or group offering to produce money or multiply currency, noting that such offers are invariably fraudulent. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are expected to be charged in court upon its conclusion.
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