The President-General of Umueri community in Anambra State, Ambassador John Chukwudi Metchie, has informed the Central Bank of Nigeria and security agencies about the circulation of counterfeit N200 notes in the Otuocha Market area.
According to the Daily Post, he cautioned commercial motorcycle operators against collaborating with criminals to commit crimes in the area.
He said going forward, local vigilantes will collaborate with the Police and other security agents to bring criminals to justice.
Metchie made this statement over the weekend, citing intelligence reports that some individuals are using fake N200 notes to deceive market women and commercial motorcycle and tricycle (keke) riders, particularly at night.
Metchie reported that the occurrence of this negative event has increased in Otuocha Market and other parts of the Local Government.
He also mentioned that if left unaddressed, it has the potential to result in a violation of the law and lead to victims taking laws into their hands against the perpetrators of the crime.
In his statement entitled “Threat to Law and Order Over Use of Fake Naira Notes in the LGA,” Metchie stated that according to the information available to him, the fake notes were originally being printed and used at weddings and funerals.
However, criminals have started using them to purchase goods from traders and other unsuspecting victims.
He urged the CBN and security agencies to conduct undercover operations in the region to identify the criminals and hold them accountable.
Moreover, Metchie advised the inhabitants of the area to notify local vigilantes and turn in anyone discovered engaging in buying or selling with fake Naira notes for immediate arrest.
