Sadiya Farouq
According to a report by TheNation, the Department of State
Services has arrested a 32-year old man, Kabiru Mohammed for creating
and sharing fake videos depicting President Muhammadu Buhari’s wedding
the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Humanitarian
Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq.
The fake videos had been viral on the social media space between August and October 2019.
Parading the suspect at the DSS National Headquarters on Friday,
Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya, said an investigation was
launched, following a formal complaint to the Service by the Minister
for Finance.
He said, “Last year, 2019 between August and October there was a
defamatory video that circulated widely across Nigeria and showing
false engagement of Mr President in marriage with some members of his
cabinet. One was the Minister for Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and
another was that of the Minister for Minister of Humanitarian Affairs
and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq.
On the 11thof October, 2019 the Honourable Minister for
Finance, brought a formal complaint to the Service in which she stated
that the video had cost her big embarrassment and asked that an
investigation be opened into that audio/video and the materials
associated with it, the infographics and all the materials that were in
circulation at the moment. She asked that a detailed investigation be
opened in that regard with a view to identifying the persons or groups
of persons that may have been behind the circulation of such defamatory
materials.
“The Service went into investigation and we can announce that
it had apprehended the person that is involved and the person who
started this and who circulated the materials. His name is Kabiru
Mohammed. He hails from Kano. He is 32 years. He holds a diploma in
Hausa and Fulfulde from the Federal College of Education, Kano and also
holds a diploma in Mass Communication from Aminu Kano Islamic School,
according to him.
“He has confessed and investigation has also revealed his
involvement in the creation of these materials and the circulation of
the materials. Investigation is continuing to determine the actual
reasons behind his intent. What we can assure you as Nigerians is that
we would continue to deepen this investigation and bring it to a logical
conclusion.
“We will do everything needful within the ambit of the law to
bring this to a logical conclusion, as to determine whether there is or
not other persons, interests and motives behind this other than what he
has said.
“We want to use this opportunity to once again please ask
Nigerians as always that the spread of false news through the social
media does not do well for any person. You may enjoy the spread of such
falsehood when you are not the victim. But if you become the victim, you
will know the pain. And we want to urge every citizen and residents and
of course Nigerians, that anywhere they are, they should desist from
spreading falsehoods, misrepresentations, rumours against one another,
against then government, and against institutions of government.
“By the time you click that button and you spread or
participate in sharing news that is not true, you are helping in causing
disharmony, you are helping in bringing problem in the country. And you
are also feeding on differences in the country to bring about chaos,
anarchy and instability. As we go into the New Year, we urge everyone to
make a new attitude and begin to find reasons to be more patriotic, to
be more law abiding, and be better citizens and to help move Nigeria
forward. On our part we would continue to perform our duties and
responsibilities without let or fear and will always collaborate with
all stakeholders particularly the media and strategic partners to make
sure there is lasting peace in the country.”
The suspect, Mohammed, who admitted to creating and sharing the videos begged for forgiveness, saying it was a mistake.
He said he was a member of a political group in Kano known as Kwakwasiya.