The Nigeria Police Force has refuted social media news reports that 79 terrorists were present in the Lugbe area of Abuja, labeling the reports as misleading and false.
As security concerns rise in the Federal Capital Territory, police assured members of the public that there was no intelligence to substantiate the claim.
In a statement released on Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi decried the viral message, which has gained a wide circulation on WhatsApp and other social media, as a deliberate attempt to instill fear and breach the peace of the city.
“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a false and misleading message alleging the presence of 79 terrorists in the Lugbe axis and announcing a curfew. This message is entirely untrue and should be disregarded,” the statement read.
The police further clarified that intelligence reports and security assessments had found no evidence of terrorist activity in Lugbe or its surroundings.
“The message, purportedly signed by ‘ACP Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Police Command Headquarters, Abuja,’ is a fabrication. It was generated by individuals seeking to create tension and panic in the FCT,” the statement added.
The police urged Nigerians to rely only on verified information from official sources, including the force’s social media handles, and warned against spreading unverified security alerts that could cause unnecessary alarm.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the FCT and the entire country. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station,” the statement added.
