The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a commercial driver in possession of counterfeit currency amounting to ₦1 million.
The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, was apprehended by operatives of the Federal Highway Patrol Team during a routine stop-and-search operation around the Guru Maharaj Ji stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday.
According to him, the driver, who was heading to Osogbo in a green Toyota Sienna with registration number FKJ 443 YG, exhibited suspicious behaviour, prompting officers to search his vehicle.
“During the investigation, approximately ₦1,000,000 in ₦1,000 notes was discovered, all bearing only three unique serial numbers—an indication that they were counterfeit,” Osifeso said.
The notes, wrapped in transparent plastic and tightly sealed with tape, were broken down as follows: ₦500,000 (500 notes), ₦300,000 (300 notes), and ₦200,000 (200 notes).
When questioned, the suspect claimed he had been contracted by an unidentified individual at Ojota, Lagos, to deliver the package to an unknown recipient in Osogbo. He reportedly told the police he was misled to believe the parcel contained body cream.
The police spokesperson stressed that the command remains resolute in combating currency counterfeiting and other economic crimes undermining national stability.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities through the appropriate channels,” he said, assuring that further investigations were underway.
