The Enugu State Police Force has issued a cautionary advisory to residents, urging heightened vigilance during the festive season while handling and engaging in transactions with Nigerian naira notes.
This alert follows the apprehension of a 37-year-old man, Chukwuebuka Igwebuike, by operatives from Awkunanaw Division for possession of counterfeit one thousand Nigerian Naira notes amounting to N362,000.
The arrest occurred on December 19, 2023, at approximately 6 pm at Afor Market in Garki Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government area.
Counterfeit currency poses a significant threat to the economic stability of any nation. As technology advances, so do the methods employed by criminals to create realistic counterfeit notes. The incident in Enugu highlights the need for a collective effort in the fight against financial crimes, with law enforcement and citizens playing pivotal roles in safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s currency.
The Enugu State Police Force’s cautionary advisory serves as a timely reminder for individuals to exercise heightened vigilance during the festive season. With increased shopping, travel, and social interactions, the risk of encountering counterfeit currency rises. The advisory encourages residents to familiarize themselves with the security features of the Nigerian Naira and to be wary of transactions involving large sums of money, especially in unfamiliar or less secure environments.
As part of the broader effort to combat counterfeit currency, the Enugu State Police Force, in collaboration with relevant authorities, should intensify efforts to educate the public on the security features of genuine currency. Workshops, seminars, and public awareness campaigns can empower individuals to identify counterfeit notes and report suspicious activities promptly. By fostering a culture of financial literacy and awareness, communities become more resilient to the threats posed by counterfeit currency.
The circulation of counterfeit currency can have severe consequences for local businesses and individuals. Innocent parties who unknowingly accept fake notes may face financial losses, and businesses may suffer reputational damage. It is, therefore, crucial for both merchants and consumers to remain vigilant, employing the necessary tools and knowledge to authenticate currency during transactions.
As communicated by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, preliminary investigations confirmed the suspect’s admission of guilt.
Reportedly, the suspect confessed to using the counterfeit one thousand Naira notes to purchase low-value items, intending to receive genuine smaller denominations as change.
The Enugu State Police Force has issued a cautionary advisory to residents, urging heightened vigilance during the festive season while handling and engaging in transactions with Nigerian naira notes.
This alert follows the apprehension of a 37-year-old man, Chukwuebuka Igwebuike, by operatives from Awkunanaw Division for possession of counterfeit one thousand Nigerian Naira notes amounting to N362,000. The arrest occurred on December 19, 2023, at approximately 6 pm at Afor Market in Garki Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government area.
As communicated by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, preliminary investigations confirmed the suspect’s admission of guilt.
Reportedly, the suspect confessed to using the counterfeit one thousand Naira notes to purchase low-value items, intending to receive genuine smaller denominations as change.
“He shall be arraigned in court and prosecuted accordingly once ongoing investigations are concluded.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has urged citizens of the state and the public to be vigilant and wary of whom they receive and exchange all the denominations of mint Nigerian Naira with, especially this yuletide.
“Hence, he encourages the citizenry to quickly report anyone in possession of, or transacting in counterfeit Nigerian Naira notes, to the nearest police station for necessary policing actions,” the statement partly read.
