The Kaduna State Police Command has strongly condemned a viral post circulating on social media that falsely alleged the arrest of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for attempting to supply firearms to bandits and kidnappers. The police have labeled the post “malicious” and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, firmly dismissed the claim, asserting that it had no basis in truth. According to the statement, the viral video, which depicted an alleged arrest involving a police officer and bandits, was completely fabricated. Hassan clarified that the officer shown in the video was not from Kaduna State, nor was he a serving officer at all.
“The attention of the Command has been drawn to a false and malicious viral post on social media alleging that the DCP went to give firearms to bandits and kidnappers, and unfortunately, he was arrested with them. The Command categorically states that this news is fake and intended to mislead the public,” Hassan stated.
The viral post used an old photograph of a man dressed in police attire, a misleading image that many social media users quickly assumed to be connected to the alleged arrest. However, DSP Hassan explained that the photograph was not related to any officer currently serving in Kaduna or any part of the police force in the North West. Instead, it was an image of a previously arrested fake Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kingsley Udoyen, who had been apprehended in Akwa Ibom State in January 2019 for impersonating an officer.
“The image used in the viral post is not of any officer in Kaduna State but rather an old photograph of a fake Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Kingsley Udoyen, who was arrested in Akwa Ibom State in January 2019,” Hassan said. “We urge members of the public to verify this information by searching Google with the headline ‘Fake Assistant Commissioner of Police arrested.'”
The viral nature of such content has become a growing concern for the police, who have warned the public to be cautious of similar misleading narratives.
The police also took the opportunity to urge the general public to be more vigilant when consuming news on social media platforms, emphasizing that unchecked information can have dire consequences for public safety and social harmony.
“It is important to stress that this is not the first time the Command has had to debunk false information of this nature. We have identified the individuals responsible for spreading this fake news, and they will be arrested and brought to justice,” DSP Hassan noted.
He pointed out that the integrity of the police force was being undermined by the circulation of such unverified stories and promised that legal action would be taken against those who spread these falsehoods.
“The public must desist from sharing unverified news. Such acts not only cause unnecessary panic but also undermine the work and reputation of the Police Force. Any attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Police will not be tolerated,” Hassan warned.
This incident comes at a time when the spread of misinformation on social media has been on the rise, especially in relation to issues of national security and law enforcement. Police authorities across Nigeria have become increasingly aware of the impact that viral, unverified claims can have on their operations and public perception.
A similar incident occurred last year in Lagos, where fake claims about police involvement in criminal activities sparked protests and strained relationships between the police and local communities. Following that event, the Nigerian Police Force issued directives to strengthen their cyber security unit and collaborate with tech companies to track and counter disinformation online.
While the Kaduna Police Command has made it clear that they will take action against those responsible for the viral post, they also called on the public to report similar cases of misinformation. According to DSP Hassan, public cooperation is essential in ensuring that false narratives do not gain traction.
“We cannot do this alone,” Hassan said. “We urge every responsible citizen to be our eyes and ears. If you come across any fake news, especially involving the police or law enforcement activities, report it immediately.”
The Kaduna State Police Force has reiterated its commitment to protecting the citizens of the state, particularly in the ongoing fight against criminal activities like banditry and kidnapping, which have plagued the region in recent years.
As the Kaduna Police Command fights to clear its name and hold those spreading false information accountable, many are questioning the role of the media in amplifying such stories. The widespread sharing of unverified content, often without proper fact-checking, has led to a heightened sense of distrust in traditional news outlets and law enforcement agencies alike.
As the Kaduna Police Command vows to take action against those responsible for spreading the false narrative, it remains to be seen whether this will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar acts. In the meantime, both law enforcement and the general public will have to navigate the complexities of combating disinformation while striving to maintain a safe and secure environment in the face of growing cyber threats.
