Nigeria: Police uncover suspected fake dollar production site in Ondo
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected counterfeit dollar production facility in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, arresting one man in connection with the operation.
The suspect, identified as Peter Desmond, was arrested at a property in Kiniso Village, near Ajue. Police officers also recovered three bags of suspected fake US dollar notes and other items believed to be connected to the illegal operation.
The development was disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to Jimoh, the investigation began after a fraud complaint was filed by Yusuf Nasiru, a resident of Sabo, Okitipupa, on October 28, 2026.
Nasiru reportedly told the police that two men, Desmond and Olami Toro, had visited his shop on October 25, claiming they wanted to exchange dollars for naira.
He said he handed them $6,000, valued at about ₦8.6 million, but the men later returned the money, claiming they could not raise enough naira to complete the transaction.
However, Nasiru later discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were fake and immediately reported the matter to the police.
Following the complaint, detectives at the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation. Through intelligence gathering and technical surveillance, they eventually traced Desmond to the suspected production site.
Police operatives stormed the property on October 29, but some individuals reportedly escaped by jumping over the perimeter fence.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags of suspected counterfeit US dollar notes and a small wooden box. The items were taken away for further investigation.
The police confirmed that Desmond remains in custody and is assisting investigators with information to uncover more details about the suspected operation.
