Niger State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Nda Baba Mohammed, for allegedly possessing counterfeit CFA currency at the Hajj Camp in Tudun-Fulani, Bosso Local Government Area.
The arrest was made on Saturday, 18 May 2025, around 11:45 a.m., following a tip-off about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate believed to be targeting Hajj pilgrims with fake foreign notes.
According to a press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspect, a native of Agaie LGA, was found with 40,000 CFA francs suspected to be counterfeit.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives from the Bosso Division moved swiftly to apprehend the suspect at the Hajj camp,” the statement said. “During questioning, he admitted to stealing the fake currency from the residence of a man named Mohammed in Kwara State, where he had been working as a farm labourer.”
Police believe the suspect is part of a larger group seeking to exploit the busy Hajj season by defrauding unsuspecting pilgrims with fake foreign currency, which many use for transactions during the pilgrimage.
The CFA franc is the official currency used in several West African countries, including Niger Republic, a neighbour to Nigeria. Many Nigerian pilgrims headed to Saudi Arabia often transit through these countries, making the currency popular around Hajj operations.
SP Abiodun noted that the suspect is still in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are working to trace the source of the counterfeit money and determine if others are involved in the operation.
The police have assured the public, especially intending pilgrims, that security has been heightened around all pilgrimage facilities in the state.
“The State Command is committed to ensuring a smooth and safe Hajj process for all pilgrims,” the statement added. “We warn all criminal elements to stay away from all Hajj-related activities, as the full weight of the law will be brought upon anyone caught disrupting the process.”
This arrest underscores the need for vigilance among pilgrims and authorities alike. With the annual Hajj season often attracting large crowds and high volumes of transactions, both local and international fraudsters have previously used the opportunity to circulate fake currencies and scam travellers.
The police urged citizens to report any suspicious activity around Hajj centres and to handle their foreign exchange needs through verified and legal channels.
Meanwhile, the suspect is expected to be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and draws thousands of Nigerian Muslims annually. Security agencies usually put special measures in place to protect pilgrims from fraud, theft, and other crimes during the preparation and travel periods.
