A circulating video on social media claims that old naira notes hidden by some politicians have been found at police barracks, Wadata in Benue state.
In the video, which has also been shared on Twitter, plenty of sacks are seen with people bringing out squashed papers from the pile of sacks in a container.
ANOTHER HIDDEN SACKS OF MONEY DISCOVERED😩 only God can help our country.
Follow @Superfm963 for constant News update#money #Messi𓃵 #Trending #ViralVideos #naira pic.twitter.com/ElOM02S0UW
— SuperFM 96.3 (@Superfm963) December 14, 2022
However, the Benue state police command has debunked the viral video through a statement released on Tuesday.
Anene Catherine, Benue state police spokesperson, said what was referred to as hidden cash is wasted papers that were kept in a shop, not money.
The police spokesperson said during the investigation, the shop owner identified as Isah Suleiman, told the police that he got the wasted papers from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“On 13/12/2022 at about 1200hrs information was received at a Police Division Makurdi, that hidden naira notes were recovered from Police Barracks Wadata.
Catherine said the police sent detectives to carry out an investigation at the scene, and they “recovered wasted papers in a shop close to Wadata Police Barracks, Makurdi”.
“The owner of the shop, Mr. Isah Suleiman was invited for questioning and he tendered a licence issued to him by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for waste management.
“He added that these wasted papers are usually gotten from CBN and processed as mosquito repellants.”
The police spokesperson added that the “investigation has been extended to CBN for confirmation”.