Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With Counterfeit Foreign Currency Possession

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State has apprehended two individuals in relation to a case involving the possession of counterfeit foreign currency.

The suspects, identified as Danladi Umar, 25, from Tashar Musawa, Zaria LGA in Kaduna State, and Abdurrahman Khalid, 35, from Abuja Quarters, Gumel LGA in Jigawa State, were taken into custody on Thursday, July 6, 2023. They face charges of counterfeiting and criminal conspiracy under the penal code law of Jigawa State.

According to Adamu Shehu, the spokesperson for NSCDC in the state, the arrests were made after Danladi Umar filed a complaint at the NSCDC Divisional office in Sule Tankarkar LGA. Umar alleged that Abdurrahman Khalid deceived and defrauded him by introducing him to one Malam Haruna, who promised to provide him with a local charm known as ‘sagau’.

The charm purportedly had the ability to temporarily paralyze the hand of anyone intending to cause harm. However, Khalid later changed his statement upon realizing that he would be held responsible for refunding the money, while Umar might go free.

Shehu further explained that Umar approached Khalid with counterfeit foreign currency and sought his advice on how to use it without detection. Khalid suggested contacting Malam Haruna, who resides in Nguru, Yobe State, claiming that he could help convert the fake currency into genuine cash.

They reached out to Malam Haruna, who requested the sum of N147,500 to purchase items necessary for the currency conversion process. However, after the payment was made, Malam Haruna could not be reached for several days, leading Umar to suspect foul play.

During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of $30,900 US Dollars, equivalent to approximately 24 million Naira at the Investors and Exporters Foreign Exchange (I&E FX) window.

Danladi Umar later confessed that he had obtained the counterfeit currency from an individual named Zakari, who is currently evading capture and believed to be located in Marabar Jos, Kaduna State.

Umar admitted to purchasing three fake bundles of $10,000 each at a rate of N25,000 per bundle, amounting to N75,000 in total.

Upon the completion of investigations, the suspects will be charged and prosecuted in court.