The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a driver allegedly caught with ₦1 million in counterfeit notes during a highway stop.
The command’s spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.
He explained that the suspect was intercepted by officers of the Federal Highway Patrol Team during a routine check on Friday evening.
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According to him, the driver was stopped at about 8:45 pm near the Guru Maharaj Ji area on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway while driving a green Sienna bus with Lagos registration number FKJ 443 YG.
Officers became suspicious of his behaviour and proceeded to search the vehicle.
“We discovered approximately ₦1,000,000 in ₦1,000-denomination notes,” Osifeso said.
“The cash had only three serial numbers: ₦500,000 (235923), ₦300,000 (235922), and ₦200,000 (235921), all wrapped in a transparent plastic parcel sealed with tape.”
When interrogated, the driver reportedly claimed he was only acting as a courier. He said he had collected the parcel from an unidentified man in Ojota, Lagos, and was instructed to deliver it to Osogbo, Osun State.
According to him, he was not given any recipient’s details and was told the package contained body cream.
Osifeso assured residents that the police are intensifying efforts to curb financial crimes in the state.
“We call on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement in curbing currency fraud and other crimes that threaten economic stability,” he added in the statement issued on Saturday.
