A 51-year-old father of ten, Akilu Salisu, alongside two others, has been taken into custody by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in the circulation of counterfeit foreign currencies.

Salisu, who hails from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, was arrested alongside a self-acclaimed cleric, Umar Mikailu Shuaibu from the Kafor Wambari area of Kano State, and Salisu Nura from Garki Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

According to the EFCC, Nura and Shuaibu were initially apprehended by operatives of the Kwara State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a stop-and-search operation on January 27, 2026.

They were subsequently handed over to the anti-graft agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.

During the operation, Nura was found in possession of 435 pieces of counterfeit 100-dollar notes and 378 pieces of counterfeit 50-pound sterling notes.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the counterfeit currencies were meant to be delivered to Shuaibu, while Salisu was identified as the final recipient within the distribution chain.

Further investigations into Shuaibu’s account with a digital payment platform uncovered multiple suspicious transactions amounting to over ₦5 million, for which he reportedly could not provide satisfactory explanations.

The EFCC stated that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.