The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers and foiled attempts to circulate counterfeit United States dollars in the state. According to police spokesman SP Nafiu Habib, the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations across the state. The operations resulted in the recovery of suspected counterfeit currency and other items. The police command is working to investigate and prosecute the suspects.
In the first incident, three suspected armed robbers were arrested in Bauchi metropolis after a 19-year-old resident reported being attacked. The victim stated that he was intercepted by three men who placed a knife on his neck and stole his Tecno Pop 9 phone valued at N80,000. Police operatives traced the suspects to a room at Unguwar Ardo, where they arrested 18-year-old Usman Aliyu, Usman Musa, and Aliyu Babangida.
The police recovered three knives, including the one used in the robbery, and the stolen phone from the suspects' residence. One of the suspects, Usman Aliyu, is an ex-convict. The suspects are currently in police custody and will be prosecuted. The police command did not disclose further details about the suspects' previous convictions.
In Darazo, police detectives arrested 25-year-old Adamu Umar of Jigawa State for allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollars for naira. The operation led to the recovery of 67 suspected counterfeit US dollar notes, a machete, and a Tecno keypad phone. Umar attacked and injured a police officer with the machete during the arrest and later attempted to escape.
The police reported that Umar's attempt to escape resulted in injuries to himself and two officers. The injured persons were treated and discharged at the General Hospital, Darazo. The police command stated that Umar's case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
In a separate incident in Yana, Shira Local Government Area, two men were arrested over alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, and possession of suspected counterfeit currency. A 42-year-old man from Agege, Lagos State, reported being invited by the suspects for a foreign exchange transaction, which turned out to be a scam.
The victim transferred N4.449m to an account provided by the suspects, who then allegedly assaulted him with sticks and gave him suspected counterfeit $100 notes. The police recovered 96 suspected counterfeit $100 notes from one of the suspects' residences. The cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
Key points
- The Bauchi State Police Command arrested four suspected armed robbers and foiled attempts to circulate counterfeit US dollars in the state.
- The police recovered 67 suspected counterfeit US dollar notes in Darazo and 96 suspected counterfeit $100 notes in Yana.
- The police command transferred the cases to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
