The Oyo State Police Command has discovered a place in a remote Ojoku village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area, where fake British pound sterling, Euros, United States’ dollars and other foreign currencies were being counterfeited.
Mohammed Katsina, Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, said that the discovery was made by the command’s ambush squad that raided the village. He said the village is becoming an abode for criminals, having earlier served as a kidnappers’ den. The police had cordoned off the compound shielded by tall trees and thick bushes.
Two Toyota Camry cars with number plate AA 125 DK and AA 207 DH and a Nissan Almera lift back model with number plate AGL 882 DF were found in the compound, which was fenced with corrugated iron sheets.
The place was disguised as a shrine. Ismail Adesina, 43, who was arrested at the scene denied knowing anything about the currencies. “I am an herbalist. I inherited the skill from my father. I am also a conman. I cured diabetes, barrenness, blindness and other ailments. I have cured many people. My partner, who escaped yesterday, knows how the currencies were produced. Taju and Wasiu are my other partners. We have been here for about four years,” he said.
He admitted that they collect varying sums of money from their victims but claimed that they do not kidnap people. “We bought the land in the bush and built the houses. I am a native of Beyerunka in Ibadan. The names of our victims are with my partners.”
Dike Onwuamaeze
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