DELTA POLICE BUST ALLEGED FRAUD SYNDICATE, RECOVER 1,600 FAKE US DOLLAR NOTES, ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS.

DELTA POLICE BUST ALLEGED FRAUD SYNDICATE, RECOVER 1,600 FAKE US DOLLAR NOTES, ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS

11th June, 2026

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities, arresting four suspected fraudsters and recovering 1,600 counterfeit United States dollar notes during a carefully coordinated intelligence-led operation in Asaba, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Joshua Nwaosa, Daniel Arhewe, Prince Chukwuma and John Egwuba, were apprehended by operatives of the Command's Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, the operation was launched following credible intelligence linking the suspects to a sophisticated fraud network that allegedly specialized in deceiving unsuspecting members of the public with fake foreign currency.

Edafe disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday that the suspects were allegedly operating with a red, unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV, which they reportedly used in carrying out their fraudulent activities across different locations.

"On June 9, 2026, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, commenced surveillance on a five-man syndicate reportedly involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public using counterfeit United States dollar bills while operating in a red unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV," the statement read.

The intelligence-driven operation eventually led officers to Nnebisi Road in Asaba, where four members of the suspected syndicate were arrested.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to operating from a hideout within the city. Acting swiftly on the information provided, police operatives stormed the location and made startling discoveries.

A search conducted at the hideout led to the recovery of 1,600 counterfeit US dollar notes believed to have been intended for fraudulent transactions. Officers also recovered military camouflage uniforms concealed within the premises, raising further concerns about the activities and intentions of the suspects.

Police authorities said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's operations, identify additional accomplices and determine whether the group is linked to other fraud-related crimes within and outside Delta State.

The latest arrest comes as part of the Command's intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across the state and protect residents from financial scams and other forms of organized crime.

In a separate operation, the Delta State Police Command also arrested two women suspected to be involved in the distribution of illicit drugs in Ika North-East Local Government Area.

The suspects, identified as Ifeoma Egbule, 36, and Anayeokwu Florence, 51, were arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit during a raid conducted on Tuesday at about 11:15 a.m. in Owaliru and Alihame communities.

According to the police spokesperson, the operation was carried out based on actionable intelligence regarding drug trafficking activities within the area.

During the raid, officers recovered substantial quantities of suspected illegal substances, including GH Gold, Colorado, Cannabis and Canadian Loud.

The recovered exhibits have been taken into police custody alongside the suspects, while preliminary investigations indicate that the duo played active roles in the distribution of the prohibited substances within the communities.

The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the drug distribution network as investigations continue.

Reacting to the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers involved for their professionalism, vigilance and commitment to duty.

He reaffirmed the Command's determination to sustain intelligence-driven policing strategies aimed at combating fraud, drug trafficking, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

The police chief also assured residents that security agencies would continue to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property while bringing criminal elements to justice.

The latest arrests add to a growing list of successful operations by law enforcement agencies across the country. In May, the Ondo State Police Command arrested six suspects in Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged fraudulent activities carried out in Ondo town, underscoring the ongoing nationwide battle against financial crimes and organized criminal networks.