Police dismiss viral terror alert in Abuja, arrest suspect

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as false a viral video claiming there was an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The police said no such incident occurred, describing the footage as misleading and malicious.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the police said preliminary investigations showed the video was deliberately created using unrelated online footage to fabricate a false narrative aimed at causing panic and undermining confidence in security agencies.

The police said a suspect, identified as Pam Joseph, had been arrested in connection with the creation and dissemination of the video. The arrest followed intelligence gathering and digital forensic investigations which linked the suspect to the content.

The force warned that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, this does not include spreading misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. It urged the public to verify information before sharing and avoid actions that could incite fear or disorder.

Police said the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are completed, adding that it will continue to monitor online platforms and act against those spreading false information.