The police command in Gombe State has arrested four suspects over alleged conspiracy and possession of 304 counterfeit $100 banknotes.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Gombe.

Mr Abdullahi said the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation by officers of the Dukku Divisional Headquarters at 11 a.m. on January 15.

He listed the suspects as Kabiru Abubakar, 29, Abubakar Aliyu, 30, Abdulrahman Mustapha, 22, and Isah Alhasan, 45, from Dukku, Kaduna and Kano.

“The suspects were arrested in possession of three hundred and four pieces of counterfeit United States 100-dollar notes,” Mr Abdullahi said.

He said investigations revealed the suspects confessed and implicated another suspect as the supplier of the counterfeit notes.

In a related development, Mr Abdullahi said two other suspects were arrested the same day with substances suspected to be mercury.

“They admitted the substance was allegedly used in producing counterfeit currency,” he said.

The spokesperson said five additional suspects were arrested for various crimes, including a suspected bandit, with dangerous exhibits recovered.

He added that a kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt during one of the operations.

Mr Abdullahi said all suspects remained in police custody as investigations continue at the State Criminal Investigation Department. 

(NAN)