Bauchi Police Warns Against Misinformation In Social Media Platform 

By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi

The Bauchi state police command has warned that it would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found disseminating false or misleading content intended to undermine the reputation and operations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed said, “The Command takes matters of public misinformation very seriously, particularly when they have the potential to invite fear, confusion, or unrest among the members of the public”.

According to the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, “The Command wishes to address recent developments concerning the resurfacing of an old video clip showing a police vehicle parked by the roadside where an armed robbery incident took place”.

SP Ahmed Wakil explained that the said incident occurred on 18th February, 2020 along Kano – Maiduguri road near Ban village in Dambam LGA, where in the video clip, someone is heard claiming that the police officers who parked the car were the ones perpetrating the armed robbery.

The Command statement said, “We would like to clarify that this video is outdated and does not accurately represent any current or recent actions by the officers of the Bauchi State Police Command”.

Bauchi police in the statement further warned those who choose to spread such misleading information should consider their actions, saying “The police officers were rather responding to a distress call about an ongoing armed robbery. Upon arrival at the scene, they left their vehicle and chased the armed robbers into the bush”.

“In line with our commitment to maintaining public order, the Command has arrested Adamu Ahmed Suleiman of Unguwar Sarakuna in Bauchi metropolis who was actively involved in spreading the afformentioned video clip across social media platform”, Wakil said.

It added, ” His action was deliberately attempting to mislead and incite the public against the Nigeria Police Force, his actions of posting offensive and defamatory content, and spreading false information which constitutes an act to provoke a breakdown of public peace and safety in Bauchi state, criminalized under section 27 of the Cybercrimes Act 2024″.

According to the PPRO, Adamu Ahmed Suleiman has knowingly caused the transmission of communication via the social media platform and other social media network, which is grossly offensive, false and aimed at causing annoyance, inconveniences, danger, insult, injury, enmity, hatred, and needles anxiety which is punishable under section 24 (1)(b)&(2)(a)&(C) of Cybercrimes Act 2024.

The Bauchi Police Command therefore urged all citizens to be cautious about the information they share, and to refrain from actions that may disrupt public order or threaten the safety of others, assuring that it remains dedicated to protecting the lives and property of all citizens.

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