The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps announced the arrest of two syndicates involved in printing, selling and distributing counterfeit dollar notes. The statement, signed by corps spokesperson Olusola Odumosu on Friday, detailed the seizures and arrests.
The first group, consisting of four adult males, was found with fake notes worth $64,800 and ₦475,000. The second group, made up of five adult males, had counterfeit notes valued at ₦1.5 million. Investigations showed that the syndicates operated in and around Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Members of the ₦1.5 million syndicate were identified as follows: Dantala Omale, 30, Plateau State; Musa Abdullahi, 24, Plateau State; Audu Abdulazeez, 56, Gombe State; Umar Hassan, 46, Plateau State; and Mahammadu Badaru Yakubu, 30, Nasarawa State. The arrests began when Dantala Omale was lured from Plateau to Nasarawa and apprehended on 22 February 2023 with counterfeit ₦412,000 notes. Omale confessed that he had received the fake notes from Musa Abdullahi, alias “Baballe,” leading to Abdullahi’s capture later that day in Namu, Quanpan LGA, Plateau State, where he was found with ₦49,650 in old fake notes.
During interrogation, Abdullahi admitted that his supplier was Audu Abdulazeez, alias “Dan‑Gombe.” Abdulazeez was arrested on 3 March 2023 at the Plateau Express Service Motor Park in Jos, carrying ₦350,000 in newly redesigned counterfeit notes. He later revealed that he had passed some of the fake notes to Umar Hassan, who was seized with ₦20,500 and admitted his involvement. Hassan also confirmed regular transactions with Mahammadu Badaru Yakubu, who was apprehended near the old CBN office in Lafia at about 3:10 p.m. on 5 March 2023 with counterfeit ₦2,000 notes.
The second syndicate, linked to the $64,800 and ₦475,000 seizures, included Jonathan Dakogol, Abbas Ibrahim, Isa Ukashatu and Aminu Isa. Isa Ukashatu and Dakogol were arrested in Akurba, Lafia LGA, Nasarawa State, after being lured to deliver the money to a client. Upon arrest, Dakogol cooperated and led SIS operatives to Kurgwi, Quaan Pan LGA, Plateau State, where Aminu Isa, described as a herbalist, was captured. Isa then directed the squad to 62‑year‑old Abbas Ibrahim in Quaan Pan LGA, who had collected $30,000 in fake US dollars. All suspects were found with counterfeit dollars and newly redesigned Naira notes ranging from ₦500 to ₦1,000 and admitted to operating in the business for over five years.
Commandant General Ahmed Audi praised the CG’s SIS for a “job well done,” labeling the criminal gangs as economic saboteurs that undermine the nation through financial crimes. He called the arrests a positive omen, noting that they will curb the influx of fake currency and protect the economy. Audi tasked squad leader DCC Apollos Dandaura and his team with intensifying their dragnet across the country to apprehend additional criminal elements. He warned all syndicates to cease their activities and seek legitimate livelihoods, emphasizing that the NSCDC and other security agencies will pursue them wherever they hide.
The arrested suspects continue to assist the Corps with information for further investigations and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution after the preliminary inquiry. Meanwhile, a manhunt remains underway for other fleeing members of the syndicates.
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