…After Video alleging robbery at traffic stop point in Abuja turn out to be false, misleading
The Inspector General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has ordered a thorough investigation into a reposted video currently on social media that depicted a robbery incident in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to have occurred in Abuja.
Nigeria Police says on Thursday that the repost has cause fear and panic among Abuja residents, therefore it must “address the recent circulation of a video on social media, where motorists at a traffic stop point were being harassed and robbed by armed individuals, purporting to depict an incident that occurred in Abuja, Nigeria.”
A statement by Force Olumuyiwa Adejobi ACP said that after conducting a thorough digital forensics analysis, the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has determined that the incident actually took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The video which was originally posted by an individual from South Africa on the 22nd of April 2024 on X social media platform, with the caption suggesting that it is dangerous to travel in Ethiopia without a handgun, was reposted by some mischief makers .
They did not only reposted it but alleged that the incident happened in Abuja in order to disinform the public, and thereby caused grave panic amongst residents in the Federal Capital, and its environs; and sent a wrong signal across the country which is counterproductive to our national safety and integrity.
“In response to this disinformation, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify the individual or group responsible for falsely claiming that the incident took place in Nigeria. Once identified, appropriate legal actions will be taken to sanction those involved.”
The Inspector General of Police re-emphasizes the importance of accurate information dissemination and urges the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of videos and news circulating on social media platforms as all forms of misleading contents can cause unnecessary fear and panic among the populace.
He also reiterated that the Police remains steadfast in combating all forms of misinformation and disinformation in its quest to ensuring public safety and security.