The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Nda Baba Mohammed, for possession of suspected counterfeit West African CFA currency amounting to 40,000 at the Hajj Camp in Tudun-Fulani, Minna.

According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the arrest was made on May 18, 2025, following intelligence reports about a syndicate targeting unsuspecting pilgrims with fake currency.

The police spokesperson revealed that the suspect allegedly specializes in selling counterfeit currencies to Hajj pilgrims who may be unfamiliar with foreign currency denominations.

"In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed that he stole the said currencies from the house of one Mohammed of Kwara State, during the period he went to carry out farming activities for him," SP Abiodun stated.

The suspect, who was apprehended with 40,000 CFA Francs, is currently in police custody as investigations continue to determine the origin of the currencies and possibly identify other members of the syndicate.

SP Abiodun further disclosed that once the investigation is complete, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution.

This arrest comes at a critical time as preparations for the annual Hajj pilgrimage intensify, with many Nigerian pilgrims gathering at designated camps before their journey to Saudi Arabia.

The police have urged pilgrims to be vigilant when exchanging currencies and to conduct such transactions only through authorized channels to avoid falling victim to similar scams.