By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have raided a suspected counterfeit dollar-printing factory in Kiniso Village, near Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake US dollar notes.
The police identified the arrested suspect as Peter Desmond. They also recovered other materials believed to be linked to the illegal operation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the development in a statement issued to journalists in Akure on Tuesday.
Jimoh said the investigation began after one Yusuf Nasiru of Sabo, Okitipupa, reported that two men, Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, had approached him at his shop on October 25, 2026, seeking to exchange US dollars for their naira equivalent.
According to the complainant, he handed over $6,000, valued at approximately ₦8.6 million, to the men.
However, the suspects allegedly returned the dollar notes, claiming they lacked sufficient funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
Nasiru later discovered that the notes were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police on October 28.
Following the complaint, operatives of the Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters launched an investigation and used intelligence gathering and technical tracking to locate Desmond at Kiniso Village.
On October 29, the operatives raided the suspected hideout, which they believed was used to produce and print counterfeit dollar notes for fraudulent activities.
The police arrested Desmond during the operation, while other occupants reportedly escaped through 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 police said the arrested suspect was assisting investigators with useful information as investigations continued.
