- By Halimah Olamide
“After thorough and detailed video graphic analysis conducted by the NPF Cybercrime Centre, it has been confirmed that the video in question was originally created and circulated on 28th May, 2018.
The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday described as misleading a trending video showing some terrorists claiming to be migrating from the Republic of Benin to Nigeria.
The police said while the video is not new, it is believed that those circulating it have negative motives for the act.
In a statement by the police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, he said an analysis of the clip by the police cybercrime team has established that the video was first circulated in 2018.
In the video, suspected armed terrorists were seen carrying assault rifles and other dangerous weapons with a commentary in Hausa language claiming they were migrating from Benin Republic to Nigeria.
The video has gone viral.
“After thorough and detailed video graphic analysis conducted by the NPF Cybercrime Centre, it has been confirmed that the video in question was originally created and circulated on 28th May, 2018. “Our findings reveal that the video was recently reposted with a misleading narrative and deliberate intention to cause unnecessary panic and disruption within the country,” the police head office in Abuja said.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
The Police also issued a strong warning to individuals who engage in the deliberate spread of false information, an act which is unpatriotic, criminal and punishable under the law reiterating that such can cause significant harm, incite panic, and heat up the polity.
“The Police frowns at such act and assures that anyone found to be involved in the creation and/or dissemination of misleading content will face the full extent of the law. We encourage everyone to rely on official channels for accurate updates and to report any suspicious activities or content to the authorities,” the police concluded
The police however did not state whether the terrorists were apprehended in 2018 when it said the said migration took place.
It was also silent whether there were enough efforts to stop them from entering Nigeria as claimed.