The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral video circulating online claiming there was an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, describing it as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, April 10, Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said investigations confirmed that no such incident occurred in the nation’s capital.
According to the police, the video was deliberately fabricated using unrelated footage sourced from online platforms to create panic and mislead the public.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital,” the statement said.
The police also confirmed the arrest of one Pam Joseph, alleged to be responsible for creating and circulating the video. Authorities said the arrest followed intelligence gathering and digital forensic analysis linking the suspect to the content’s origin and spread.
The Force reiterated that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not include the spread of misinformation capable of causing fear or threatening national security.
It urged members of the public to verify information before sharing and to avoid content that could incite panic or disrupt public peace.
The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to be charged to court upon completion of investigations.