The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has vowed that the Nigeria Police Force will identify and prosecute individuals responsible for spreading fake news, fabricated videos and misleading digital content capable of causing public panic and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disu said the police had strengthened their cybercrime monitoring and digital forensic capabilities to track those behind false information. He disclosed this on Wednesday at the annual conference and awards ceremony of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria.
The police chief explained that the National Cybercrime Centre monitors online platforms for false and inciting content, while cybercrime investigations have been extended to police Criminal Investigation Departments across the country. He added that digital forensic tools had helped the police identify and arrest suspects linked to fabricated notices and videos.
He said the police would also respond promptly to viral false reports by providing verifiable information to prevent rumours from spreading. However, Disu stressed that the measures were targeted at deliberate fabrications and incitement, not legitimate journalism.
The Inspector-General also disclosed that the police were proposing a verification channel with the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria to help accredited journalists obtain timely and reliable information on security-related incidents, particularly during the election period.
He urged journalists to verify security reports before publication, distinguish confirmed facts from unverified claims and establish the origins of videos circulating on social media. He warned that misinformation could discourage voter participation, weaken confidence in the electoral process and fuel disputes over election results.
The Chairman of the association, Festus Fifen, called for stronger cooperation between the media and security agencies to tackle digital threats and protect public trust ahead of the elections.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, described the conference as timely, warning that misinformation and disinformation could undermine confidence in security institutions and threaten national stability.
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