UYO, NIGERIA – The Akwa Ibom State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a public warning about the circulation of counterfeit ₦1,000 notes in the state, with coastal areas reported to be the worst-hit regions.
In a statement released on Friday by the state director, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, the NOA revealed that it has received “confirmed intelligence reports of syndicates flooding the coastal areas of Udung Uko, Mbo, Oron, Okobo and Ibeno with fake ₦1,000 notes.” The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the counterfeit notes have been identified by their batch numbers, 364232 and 898248, and are characterised by “blurred portraits, watermarks and irregular security features.”
According to the NOA, the syndicates are exploiting the busiest commercial hours in major local markets, targeting unsuspecting point-of-sale (POS) operators and other merchants to carry out their fraudulent transactions.
Mkpoutom described the crime as “unpatriotic” and warned that it has the potential to distort the Nigerian economy. He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, who he said are working to apprehend the culprits.
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