24th September, 2012
An employee of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly trading in fake currency.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ms Ngozi Braide, on Monday paraded the suspect with Staff No. MSC/4503, before newsmen at the police headquarters, Ikeja.
Braide said that the police was informed by a victim who alleged that he exchanged N900, 000 for US $3, 000 in the suspect’s office located at Benson Plaza, Lagos Road, Ikorodu.
According to the PPRO, the victim later discovered that the naira notes were without security numbers and immediately informed the police.
She said the suspect, who was immediately arrested, had confessed to have stolen the money from his office and told the police that he had been in the business since 2010.
Braide said that one Nissan Pathfinder, with Reg. No. KRD 480 AE and N320, 000 genuine notes were recovered from the suspect.
Four other suspects, who were allegedly involved in kidnapping and killing their victim, were also paraded.
Braide said that the suspects were also involved in robbery operations in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
She said the suspects had allegedly kidnapped one Akinsanjo Akinlade on August 8 and killed him in a bush behind Redemption Camp, Ogijo in Ogun, after collecting his valuables.
The spokesperson said that the suspects had also attempted to collect a ransom of N200, 000 from the victim’s relations but failed when the victim’s wife insisted on speaking to him before payment.
Braide said the suspects were tracked down by the police and arrested at Auchi, Edo.
The PPRO said that the suspects had confessed to their involvement in other kidnap operations in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
She said investigation into the two cases was continuing.