Enugu State Police Command apprehended Chukwuebuka Igwebuike on allegations of defrauding unsuspecting traders using counterfeit Naira notes in the Afor Market area of Garki Awkunanaw.
The arrest was made following a tip-off received by operatives in the Awkunanaw division.
According to Daniel Ndukwe, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Igwebuike reportedly accumulated fake Naira notes amounting to N362,000. His modus operandi involved purchasing goods of lower denominations from traders using the counterfeit money and receiving genuine balance without raising suspicion.
The statement from Ndukwe revealed, “Police operatives serving in Awkunanaw Division of the Enugu State Command, acting on a tip-off, on 19/12/2023 at about 6 p.m., arrested a male suspect, one Chukwuebuka Igwebuike aged 37, at Afor Market, Garki Awkunanaw, Enugu, and recovered from him suspected counterfeit N1,000 notes, totaling N362,000.”
Igwebuike has reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting to using the fake N1,000 notes for small purchases and obtaining genuine change.
The spokesperson stated that the suspect will be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
“Preliminary investigation proved that the suspect confessed to the crime, stating that he used the fake one thousand Naira notes to buy items of small prices and get balance for genuine smaller denominations. He would be arraigned in court and prosecuted accordingly, once ongoing investigations are concluded,” the statement noted.
Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, urged citizens to be vigilant during the yuletide season and cautioned against accepting or exchanging mint Nigerian Naira with unknown individuals.
He emphasized the importance of reporting anyone in possession or transacting with counterfeit Naira notes to the nearest police station for necessary actions.
