The Oyo State Police Command has discovered a place in a remote village of Ibadan, where thousands of fake pounds, euros, dollars and other foreign currencies were being produced.. The police described the area as fast transforming to an abode for criminals, having earlier served as a kidnappers’ den.
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. Several notes of fake foreign currencies littered the ground.
Apart from being a fake currency factory, the place also served as a shrine where several criminal activities were perpetrated.
There are two houses in the compound with at least six rooms adorned with various statues to give the impression that the place is being used as a shrine. The walls were decorated with the group’s description of gods to scare victims.
Ismail Adesina, 43, who was arrested at the scene, said he did not know anything about the currencies and that the owners had escaped.
He said he was a herbalist and that he had been involved in several financial crimes under the pretext of helping victims to cure ailments and barrenness.