Anambra Government Moves to Clamp Down on Fake News Peddlers

Anambra Government Moves to Clamp Down on Fake News Peddlers

The Anambra State Government has issued a stern warning to individuals circulating false information online, declaring its readiness to arrest and prosecute purveyors of fake news aimed at inciting fear and disrupting the peace in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Law Mefor, raised the alarm on Monday over the growing trend of fabricated audio and video content being shared across social media platforms, falsely portraying incidents of violence and insecurity within Anambra.

Citing a recent example, the Commissioner referenced a viral video accompanied by a voice note which falsely alleged that Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in Umuchu, Anambra State, killing several residents. He clarified that after thorough investigation, the claims were found to be completely untrue.

“No such incident occurred in Umuchu or any part of Anambra State,” Mefor said. “The event depicted in the video actually took place in another state entirely and had nothing to do with Fulani herdsmen or Anambra.”

The Commissioner condemned the act as “propaganda from the pit of hell,” describing the perpetrators as malicious actors bent on sowing discord and fear for reasons best known to them.

He further explained that some of the materials being circulated are old videos from different regions of Nigeria, deliberately rebranded and misrepresented as current events occurring in Anambra.

In response, the state government has commenced the use of advanced technology to trace and unmask the creators and distributors of such harmful content. Mefor stressed that those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.

“We will no longer tolerate this deliberate attempt to destabilize our state,” he warned. “Let it be clearly known that any individual or group caught spreading fake news will face the full weight of the law.”

The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the peace, unity, and security of Anambra State and urged residents to verify news reports from credible sources before sharing.

“Together, we must protect our state from fearmongering and misinformation,” Mefor concluded.