The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended an unnamed driver for allegedly being in possession of N1million declared to be fake currency.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this through a statement he issued in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Saturday.
Osifeso explained that the Command’s Federal Highway Patrol Team arrested the suspect at about 8:45p.m. around the Guru Maharaj Ji area of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway during a stop-and-search operation, on Friday.
The PPRO explained that the driver who was driving a green Sienna vehicle with registration number Lagos FKJ 443 YG was on his way to Osogbo, Osun State when he was arrested.
He stated further that the suspicious character of the driver prompted the officers to conduct a thorough search of his vehicle.
“During the investigation, officers discovered approximately ₦1,000,000 in banknotes of N1,000 denomination.
“The notes bore only three unique serial numbers: 235923 – N500,000 (500 notes); 235922- N300,000 (300 notes); and 235921- N200,000 (200 notes), all concealed in a transparent plastic parcel secured with ample tape,” Osifeso said.
Upon questioning, he added that the male suspect identified himself as a courier, having received the cash from an unidentified individual in Ojota, Lagos.
According to Osifeso, the suspect stated that he was instructed to deliver the funds to Osogbo but that he had not been given the recipient’s name or contact details.
The PPRO said the suspect claimed the person who gave him the package told him it contained body cream.
He pledged the Command’s commitment to combating currency counterfeiting and other financial crimes jeopardising the nation’s economy and community safety.
Oyo State Police spokesman further said that investigations would continue on the matter, pledging that updates would be communicated to the public.
Police urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate channels.
