The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a suspect in possession of 56 fake one hundred-dollar bills. This arrest is part of a series of operations the police have conducted to curb the circulation of counterfeit currency in the state.
The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, was apprehended in an intelligence-led operation. This is not an isolated incident. The Nigeria Police Force has been actively cracking down on currency counterfeiting syndicates across the country. In a major bust in Kano, the police seized counterfeit currencies worth a staggering N129 billion, including fake US dollars and Naira.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued several warnings to the public to be vigilant about fake banknotes, especially in higher denominations, circulating in markets and other commercial centers. The CBN’s act (2007) as amended, makes it a serious offense punishable by at least five years in prison to falsify, make, or possess counterfeit currency.
This recent arrest in Jigawa, along with other similar incidents across Nigeria, underscores the ongoing challenge of counterfeit currency, which poses a threat to the country’s economic stability. The police have urged the public to report any suspected cases of counterfeiting to the nearest police station or bank.