By Abdullahi Inuwa
The Yobe State Police Command has strongly refuted a report published by The Punch E-Paper on Thursday, September 11, 2025, which claimed that 84 people were killed by bandits and given a mass burial in Mafa Village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
The publication, which quoted the Command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, was described as “false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among the public.”
In a statement issued in Damaturu, the Command expressed shock at what it called “unprofessional journalism,” stressing that no such incident was confirmed by the Police at any time.
“The alleged attack being referred to purportedly took place on 1st September 2024. At no point did the Command issue a statement confirming such an attack,” SP Abdulkarim clarified.
The Police maintained that Yobe State has remained relatively peaceful due to intensified operations by the Military, Police, and other sister security agencies—efforts which, according to the statement, have cut crime rates by over 70%.
The Command has therefore demanded a public apology from The Punch and warned that failure to comply would result in legal action.
It further cautioned journalists, media organizations, and social media users against publishing unverified reports, reminding them that the Cybercrime Act 2025 criminalizes such acts.
“The Police will not hesitate to enforce the law to its fullest extent against any individual or organization found culpable,” the statement warned.
The Command urged members of the public to remain calm, stay safe, and rely only on credible sources for information.
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