The Yobe State Police Command has arrested seven suspects over alleged foreign currency counterfeiting and the sexual assault of two young girls in Rainikunu Garu Dole Village and Damaturu, the state capital.
 
The command said the arrests were made as part of ongoing efforts to combat fraud and other organised crimes.
 
Five of the suspects were allegedly involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through fake bank transfer alerts.
 
They were also found in possession of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies.

Police spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said in a statement yesterday that on July 18, 2026, at about 5:15 p.m., the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a complaint from a victim alleging that earlier that day, at about 4:30 p.m., Mohammad Ibrahim of Don Etiebet Estate, Damaturu; Abdullahi Aliyu of Kofar Ruwa, Kano State; Muhammad Mukhtar of Commissioners’ Quarters, Damaturu; Mohammad Bashir; and Alhaji Ahmad Mohammad, both of Obasanjo Road, Damaturu, conspired to obtain 10 bags of fertiliser valued at N488,000 after falsely claiming to have paid through a bank transfer.
 
Abdulkarim said police operatives swiftly deployed intelligence-led strategies and arrested the five suspects before they could dispose of the goods.

“During preliminary investigation, a valid search warrant was executed at the suspects’ hotel room in Damaturu, where exhibits were recovered,” he said.

Items recovered included 10 suspected counterfeit U.S. $100 notes, 56 suspected counterfeit 50,000 Somali shilling notes, a calabash, a black-and-white cloth, bottles of perfume, and various suspected charms and ritual items.
 
He said the recovered foreign currencies were reasonably suspected to be counterfeit.

“Investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the fake currencies, establish whether the syndicate is involved in the production and circulation of counterfeit notes, and uncover other members of the criminal network. The suspects are assisting the police with useful information,” he added.
 
In a separate incident, Abdulkarim said operatives attached to the Garin Alkali Division in Bursari Local Council arrested Habu Haruna, 24, of Rainikunu Garu Dole Village on July 18, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m. for allegedly luring and sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl in a nearby bush.

The victim was immediately taken to a medical facility for examination, treatment and psychosocial support, while investigations continue.
 
Similarly, on July 19, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., detectives attached to the Bara Divisional Police Headquarters arrested Mohammed Yau, 65, of Kojole Village, for allegedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl inside an uncompleted building.
 
Police said both the victim and the suspect were taken to a medical facility for forensic and clinical examinations to aid investigation and possible prosecution.
 
The Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, condemned the alleged sexual assaults, particularly those involving children, describing them as cruel, inhumane and unacceptable.

He directed that comprehensive investigations be concluded without delay and assured residents that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
 
The commissioner also advised residents to remain vigilant against fraudsters, verify electronic payment transactions before releasing goods, and exercise caution when dealing with foreign currencies.