Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture has said that insecurity in some parts of the nation is being exacerbated by fake news and misinformation.
- PDP War: Wike Is Not An Emperor, Can Only Order His Slaves In Rivers State – Lamido
- BREAKING: US To Return Another $23m Abacha Loot
“This summit couldn’t have come at a better time, with the issues of peace, security and national unity on the front burner of our national discourse. In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers. This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation,” he said.
While citing some examples to clearly illustrate how fake news is fueling apprehension and anxiety in the country, Alhaji Mohammed said on August 10, this year, the Kaduna State government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid a siege to the Kaduna-Zaria road. jambresults
He said the widely-circulated fake news even advised travellers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria road, adding: “Imagine the apprehension and disruption of plans that this fake news could have caused. Imagineitsimpacton the security operatives who are doing everything, including paying the ultimate price, to keep us safe?”
“Also, in April 2022, a drone video showing a group of five men wearing red clothes and cooking inside an unknown forest went viral. Those circulating the video claimed that it was somewhere in Nigeria. But when BBC did a fact-check on the drone video, it discovered that it was not in Nigeria. The video was circulated just to create panic among the citizens and put the society on edge.
“In June 2022, there were reports of bandits using a helicopter to attack residents in four communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna. The Kaduna State government had to debunk the story by clarifying that the chopper was actually an Air Force helicopter dispatched to repel an attack in the area. Again, imagine the panic that would have been triggered by this fake news,” the minister said.
Check and Confirm: How much is Dollar to Naira today Pounds to Naira today
