The Kano State Police Command has arrested the administrator and
members of a WhatsApp group for circulating ‘fake news’ and an image of a
married woman whom they claimed was engaged in trafficking of children
in the city.
Spokesperson of the Police in the State, Superintendent of Police
Magaji Musa Maaji told PRNigeria on Monday that the suspects were
arrested and paraded after the victim of the circulated image lodged a
formal complaint to the Police Command.
Magaji said: “We received a complaint from a married woman and a
civil servant, Mrs Bushirat Madaki, that her picture is being shared on
WhatsApp group with the intent to malign and incite the public against
her.
“Upon receiving the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji
Rabiu Yusuf ordered an immediate investigation by a special team who
were able to trace and arrest three married suspects a man and two women
for circulating the fake and offensive information.
“When confronted over the petition against them, the suspects
admitted that the image and material on the woman were shared and
forwarded in their group.
“They also admitted that they didn’t know the woman in person and
have never had interaction with her before distributing the image and
the story. They, therefore, sought forgiveness.
“For now, the Police Command has granted the suspects bails because
the offence his bailable while further investigation is ongoing.
“The police command is also currently providing security cover for
the innocent woman for fear of mob attacks because her image and the
false report on her have gone viral.”
The police spokesperson said it is an offence to share and circulate
fake news that could undermine national security or incite the public
against innocent people.
“We call on social media users to be wary of what they receive and share or forward on social media, especially WhatsApp.
“We should guard against the misuse of social media platforms by
sharing and forwarding objectionable or fake messages”, Maaji added.
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