The Yobe State Police Command has arrested five suspects over alleged fraud involving fake bank transfer alerts and recovered counterfeit foreign currencies during a raid on their hideout.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this in a statement on July 19, 2026 said the suspects allegedly conspired to obtain 10 bags of fertiliser valued at N488,000 after falsely claiming they had transferred payment to the seller.

According to him, the Potistum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report on Saturday from the victim, who alleged that the suspects deceived him with a fake bank transfer alerts before taking possession of the fertiliser.

“The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained fight against fraud and other organised crimes with the arrest of a criminal syndicate suspected of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through fake bank transfer alerts and the possession of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies,” the statement read.

“On 18 July 2026, at about 1715hrs, the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report from a victim alleging that earlier the same day, at about 1630hrs, Mohammad Ibrahim of Don Etiebet Estate, Damaturu; Abdullahi Aliyu of Kofar Ruwa, Kano State; Muhammad Mukhtar of Commissioner’s Quarters, Damaturu; Mohammad Bashir; and Alhaji Ahmad Mohammad, both of Obasanjo Road, Damaturu, criminally conspired to obtain ten (10) bags of fertiliser valued at ₦488,000.00 after falsely claiming to have effected payment through a bank transfer.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, police operatives swiftly mobilised, deployed intelligence-led policing strategies, and arrested the suspects before they could dispose of the goods.

“During preliminary investigation, a valid search warrant was executed at the suspects’ hotel room in Damaturu, where the following exhibits were recovered: Ten (10) pieces of suspected counterfeit U.S. $100 notes; Fifty-six (56) pieces of 50,000 Somali Shilling notes suspected to be counterfeit; One calabash; One black-and-white cloth; Bottles of perfume; and Various suspected charms and ritual items.

“The recovered foreign currencies are reasonably suspected to be counterfeit. Investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the fake currencies, establish whether the syndicate is involved in the production and circulation of counterfeit notes, and uncover other members of the criminal network.

“The suspects are assisting the Police with useful information.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, psc, mspsp, has strongly condemned the acts of rape, particularly those involving children, describing them as cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable.

“He directed that comprehensive investigations be concluded without delay and assured members of the public that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Commissioner also advised residents to remain vigilant against fraudsters, verify electronic payment transactions before releasing goods, and exercise caution when dealing with foreign currencies.

“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the State and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has detained four officers accused of extorting N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unauthorised stop-and-search exercise in Abuja.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, July 20, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, condemned the officers, describing them as “thieves” who had disgraced the police force through their actions.

Investigations by the police showed that the officers allegedly abandoned their assigned duty posts, converged around the Banex area of Wuse and erected an illegal checkpoint where they targeted motorists for extortion. Unaware of the identity of their victim, they reportedly stopped the ICPC chairman and compelled him to obtain cash through a Point of Sale (POS) operator.

According to Sanusi, Aliyu withdrew N53,000, paid the transaction charges and handed over the money, which the officers allegedly shared among themselves.

The police boss disclosed that the command declared the officers wanted before tracking down their leader. His confession, he said, led investigators to the remaining members of the group.

“We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed.”

The commissioner also reminded officers and members of the public that the Inspector-General of Police had outlawed the indiscriminate search of citizens’ mobile phones during patrols.

“You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why. We will still enforce the IG’s directive. Some of them are on the task because they are criminally minded. They want to perpetrate such acts. If we get them, they will face disciplinary actions and will be made to face the consequences.”

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspected counterfeiters following the discovery and dismantling of two illegal alcoholic beverage production operations in the Mushin area in Lagos State

The suspects, identified as Uchenna Ekezie and Peter Okparalgbo, were apprehended during separate enforcement operations conducted by the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen on Monday, July 20, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including premium local and international brands, were recovered from shops, storage facilities and an illegal production site.

Some of the products seized included Hennessy, William Lawson’s, Don Julio, Martell, Rémy Martin, Flirt Vodka, Lords Gin, Imperial Blue, Gordon’s, Jack Daniel’s, Best Whisky, Eagle Gin, Aman Tequila, The Macallan Scotch Whisky, Casmero Whisky, 501 and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Also confiscated were bottles, labels, packaging materials and other equipment used in the illicit production of the fake alcoholic beverages.

According to Iluyomade, the suspects admitted during interrogation to producing the counterfeit alcoholic beverages, adding that all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits while further investigations continue ahead of prosecution.

NAFDAC arrests two over counterfeit alcohol production in Lagos

In another enforcement operation, the Agency uncovered more than 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two locations within Oke Arin Market in Lagos.

The expired products, some of which had expired since 2024, were immediately evacuated to prevent them from being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

The Agency also invited the owner of the products for questioning, while several other shops found stocking unregistered and banned products or operating under poor storage conditions were sealed pending further investigations.

Iluyomade also disclosed that on July 15, 2026, one Mr. Chidera Chukwuka was convicted by the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a six-count charge before Justice Allagoa.

He said the court imposed a total fine of ₦1.65 million on the convict and ordered the forfeiture of all offending products to NAFDAC for destruction.

The director reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that only safe, quality and properly regulated products are available to consumers.

“These operations underscore NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by disrupting the activities of individuals and networks engaged in the production and distribution of unsafe and counterfeit regulated products.” AkwaIbom News

He assured Nigerians that surveillance and enforcement activities would continue across the country, urging members of the public to purchase regulated products only from reputable outlets and report suspicious products or activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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