Abia police responds to viral video claiming capture of 488 Boko Haram members

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, on Tuesday warned against the dissemination of false information intended to cause fear or civil unrest.
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‎The CP was reacting to a viral video circulating on social media claiming that 488 Boko Haram members were arrested in Abia State.
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‎Reacting in a statement made available to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer PPRO Abia Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the CP warned that any individual found spreading fake news will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition/Prevention) Act.
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‎The statement said the claim in the video is false, misleading and intended to incite fear/unrest, emphasising that the video in question is an old broadcast of over 11 years ago and does not reflect the current security situation in Abia State.
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‎Abia Police Command added that as the lead internal security agency, it remains committed to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property and sustaining the relative peace enjoyed in the State.
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‎The Command urged Abia residents to go about their lawful activities without fear, just as it advised th public to reject fake news by refraining from sharing, or reposting an unverified information and to rely only on credible sources for news and updates.
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‎The statement read in part: “The Abia State Police Command is aware of a video circulating on social media claiming that *“488 Boko Haram members were arrested in Abia State.”* This claim is false, misleading and intended to incite fear/unrest, as the video in question is an old broadcast of over 11 years ago and does not reflect the current security situation in Abia State.
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‎”However, as partners in crime prevention, members of the public are urged to reject fake news by refraining from sharing, or reposting an unverified information and to rely only on credible sources for news and updates.
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‎”Together, let’s keep Abia safe by saying NO to misinformation.”
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