NOA raises alarm over circulation of fake ₦1,000 notes in Akwa Ibom riverine communities
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Akwa Ibom State Directorate, has alerted the public to the widespread circulation of counterfeit ₦1,000 notes in several riverine communities of the state.
In a press statement released on Friday by the agency’s spokesperson, Jackson Ibok, the NOA identified Udung Uko, Mbo, Oron, Okobo, and Ibeno as the hotspots where the fake currency is being circulated.
According to the State Director of NOA, Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, intelligence reports revealed that criminal syndicates are actively distributing counterfeit notes in local markets, targeting unsuspecting traders and Point of Sale (POS) operators.
“They flood the local markets with fake One Thousand Naira notes with batch numbers 364232 and 898248, with blurred portrait, watermarks and irregular security features,” Mkpoutom stated.
Describing the act as “unpatriotic and heinous,” the director warned that the circulation of counterfeit money could disrupt the local economy, especially in vulnerable rural communities where cash transactions dominate.
He urged members of the public to exercise heightened vigilance and to promptly report any suspicious financial transactions to the appropriate authorities.
Mkpoutom also appealed for continued cooperation with security agencies, assuring that efforts are underway to track down and apprehend those behind the criminal activity.
“The security agencies are doing their best to bring the culprits to book. We ask the public to support them with useful information,” he added.
