A 33-year-old man, identified as Lawan Isa, has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command for allegedly possessing 56 counterfeit $100 bills at a local market in the Ringim area of the state.
Police spokesperson SP Shi’isu Adam confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that officers attached to the Gidan Lage Outstation apprehended the suspect on October 5, 2025, following credible intelligence reports.
According to the statement, Isa, who hails from Dorayi Karama in Kano State, was arrested at Gidan Lage Market with the fake foreign currency concealed among his belongings. During the operation, the police also recovered four Android phones and a keypad handset from the suspect.
Adam revealed that Isa was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for how he obtained the counterfeit notes. He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Dutse for a comprehensive investigation.
The police spokesperson added that the arrest was part of the Command’s intensified efforts to clamp down on economic crimes and maintain peace across Jigawa. He urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement, and promptly report suspicious individuals or activities within their communities.
“The Command remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and property across Jigawa State,” Adam said. “We will continue to ensure that criminals, no matter their tactics, find no safe haven here.”
Recent police operations in the state have uncovered several networks involved in currency counterfeiting. Earlier, a joint task force apprehended 13 suspects linked to a similar fraud scheme in which victims were deceived with fake dollar exchange deals.
Recovered items from that bust included bundles of fake $100 bills, counterfeit ₦1,000 notes, and fake Central Bank currency boxes used to trick unsuspecting traders and residents.
Authorities warn that the spread of counterfeit currency remains a growing concern in northern Nigeria, threatening both economic stability and public trust in financial transactions. Police have reiterated their resolve to dismantle such syndicates and bring all perpetrators to justice.