Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a suspect, Nwali Nwibo, for allegedly spreading false information claiming that bandits and Fulani herdsmen had invaded Nguzu Edda Community in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Joshua Ukandu.
According to the police, the suspect was apprehended following an intelligence-led investigation which revealed that the reported invasion was false.
The Command stated that investigators carefully examined the claim and found no evidence to support the allegations of an attack on the community. The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the individual responsible for circulating the information.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, urged residents to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information, particularly on social media platforms.
She advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of reports before publishing or forwarding them, warning that the spread of unverified information could create unnecessary fear, panic, and tension within communities.
The Commissioner further stressed that the dissemination of false information poses a threat to public peace and security and can undermine efforts by security agencies to maintain law and order.
Okafor reiterated the command’s commitment to prosecuting individuals found guilty of creating or spreading fake news in accordance with existing laws.
The police also encouraged residents to rely on verified sources of information and to report security concerns through appropriate channels rather than circulating unconfirmed reports.
