…as operatives uncover printing factory

Men of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected counterfeit United States dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake dollar notes.

The operation, according to the police, followed a complaint by a businessman, Yusuf Nasiru, of Sabo, Okitipupa, who allegedly lost $6,000, valued at about N8.6 million, to two men in a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction.

It was gathered that the two suspects approached Nasiru for a foreign currency exchange transaction but allegedly returned counterfeit dollar notes to him.

The incident, which occurred at the complainant’s shop in Sabo, Okitipupa, reportedly led to the discovery of a suspected counterfeit dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue.

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According to Nasiru, the suspects, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, approached him at his shop on October 25, 2026, seeking to exchange United States dollars for their naira equivalent.

Nasiru said he handed over $6,000 to the men but, while waiting to receive the naira equivalent, they allegedly returned the money, claiming they did not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.

He later discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit and subsequently lodged a complaint with the police on October 28.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest and discovery of the printing factory, said detectives from the command swung into action immediately after the incident was reported.

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The police spokesman said operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters commenced an investigation following the complaint. He added that intelligence gathering and technical tracking led them to Kiniso Village, where one of the suspects was traced.

Jimoh said operatives raided the suspected hideout on October 29 following intelligence from members of the community, but some occupants reportedly escaped through the perimeter fence.

He, however, said a search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box believed to be connected to the alleged illegal printing operation.

The arrested suspect, whose identity was not disclosed by the police, was said to have provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.

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The PPRO said the command had ordered an intensified investigation to track down other members of the suspected criminal network and establish the full extent of its operations.

Jimoh, who maintained that the command was determined to ensure that all those found culpable were brought to justice, also warned members of the public against engaging in suspicious foreign currency transactions with unverified individuals.

He urged residents to authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he engaged with claimed they were unable to end their violent activities because they feared being killed if they abandoned their weapons.

Gumi said the armed men described the persistent attacks as a cycle of revenge, alleging that military operations and killings in their communities had fuelled their decision to continue attacking.

According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that the bloodshed had become excessive but maintained that they felt compelled to sustain the violence in response to attacks against their communities.

“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.

He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”

Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts from the conversation circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.

Explaining the reasons behind the armed groups’ grievances, the cleric said they accused security forces and local vigilantes of killing women and children during operations initially aimed at addressing cattle rustling.

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He said the bandits questioned the killings of civilians in their communities and viewed the incidents as justification for retaliatory attacks.

“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.

He said the armed men believed the situation had developed into a cycle of violence in which attacks were continually followed by counterattacks.

“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.

The cleric called for negotiations to end the killings, arguing that religious leaders should help create an avenue for both sides to pursue dialogue rather than continue the violence.

“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.

When asked why the bandits could not abandon their activities, Gumi said their reluctance was driven by fears that they would be killed if they surrendered.

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“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.

The cleric also spoke about the availability of weapons among armed groups, alleging that financial sponsorship and competition between rival factions were contributing to the proliferation of firearms.

Asked whether individuals were financing the bandits, Gumi said such a possibility could not be ruled out.

“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now.”

He explained that the groups allegedly used money available to them to purchase more sophisticated weapons because of competition over their respective firepower.

According to him, the rivalry had created a situation in which different factions sought to acquire more powerful weapons to intimidate their opponents.

“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.

“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.

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On the source of the firearms, Gumi claimed that the armed groups obtained their weapons through illegal markets, where buyers could access them if they had the money.

“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.

Gumi further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria.

However, he did not present evidence to substantiate the allegation.

“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.

Asked whether foreign countries could be supplying weapons to Nigerian bandits and terrorists, the cleric said it was possible, suggesting that countries with interests in Nigeria could be involved.

“It’s possible,” he replied.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed 10 Special Advisers as part of efforts to constitute his cabinet and strengthen governance and service delivery in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, said the appointments, which were approved by the State House of Assembly, comprise two new appointees and eight members of the immediate past administration.

Those appointed include Prof. James Olaleye as Special Adviser on e-GIS, Lands and Survey; Mr James Folorunso (Bureau of Public Procurement); Dr John Moyo Ekundayo (Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery); Mr Bunmi Talabi (Bureau of Special Projects); and Olayinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media.

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Others are Princess Adetoun Agboola (Special Education and Social Inclusion); Dr Gbenga Oyewole (Development Planning and Budget); Mr Kayode Adaramodu (Economic Affairs and Private Sector Development); Mr Ebenezer Boluwade (Agriculture and Food Security); and Prof. Akeem Azeez (Special Duties).

Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointments of three commissioner-designates forwarded by the governor.

They are Mr Dayo Apata, SAN, as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr Akintunde Oyebode as Commissioner for Finance; and Dr Oyebanji Filani as Commissioner for Health and Human Services.

The newly appointed Special Advisers and the three commissioner-designates are scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.