The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has firmly dismissed as fake a circulating image purporting to show a new ₦5,000 banknote bearing the portrait of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the apex bank declared: “This content is fake. Let the public be guided.” The clarification came after the image went viral on social media, sparking debates and reactions among users who questioned its authenticity.

The viral mock-up, which some claimed was a “first sample” of a redesigned higher denomination note, has been identified by fact-checkers and media outlets as AI-generated.

Tests using AI detection tools reportedly showed over 90% AI-generated content, and earlier versions of similar images carried watermarks linked to Grok, an AI tool on the X platform.

This is not the first time such claims have surfaced. In 2025, the CBN similarly debunked reports of impending introductions of ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 notes, describing those as false and clarifying that no such policy or designs were in the works.

The CBN urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading image and rely only on official communications from the bank. It has not announced any plans to introduce new currency denominations or redesign existing notes with the president’s image.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to combat misinformation that could potentially cause public confusion or economic anxiety regarding the naira.

Members of the public are advised to verify currency-related information directly through the CBN’s official website (cbn.gov.ng) or verified channels.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading a viral video claiming terrorists were advancing on Abuja with heavy gunfire.

In a statement on Thursday, the Command said there was no terrorist attack or security breach anywhere in the Federal Capital Territory.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, described the video as a deliberate attempt to incite panic and spread misinformation.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, preliminary investigations revealed that the gunshots in the footage were manipulated and edited from an unrelated source, then superimposed on visuals of buildings under construction at an unidentified location.

The Commissioner has ordered a full forensic analysis to trace the origin of the video and identify those responsible for prosecution.

The FCT Police warned content creators and social media users against spreading false information that could cause fear and public disorder.

Residents were urged to disregard the video and refrain from sharing unverified content.

The Command reassured residents of its commitment to maintaining safety and security in the FCT.

Photo: President Donald Trump; President Bola Tinubu

The United States Department of State has classified 23 Nigerian states “High Insecurity Risks” for its citizens to go , work and live.

In an updated travel advisory issued on Wednesday, the Embassy in Nigeria urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria, with certain states classified under “Level 4: Do Not Travel” due to heightened security risks.

Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba were added to the list, bringing the total to 23 states where travel is strongly discouraged.

In Northern Nigeria, the advisory highlighted Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa as particularly high-risk, citing terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime.Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara were also flagged due to civil unrest, widespread crime, and kidnappings.

“The security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain due to civil unrest. Widespread violence between communities and armed crime, including kidnapping and roadside banditry.

“Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning,” the advisory warned.

Southern and Southeastern states were not spared. The Department urged caution in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt), citing crime, kidnapping, and violent protests.

“Crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria. There is a high risk of kidnapping, violent protests, and armed gangs,” the advisory stated.