By Amos Joseph In a decisive move against misinformation, the Nigerian Presidency has ordered security agencies to clamp down o...
By Amos Joseph
In a decisive move against misinformation, the Nigerian Presidency has ordered security agencies to clamp down on individuals and platforms disseminating fake news, following a viral false report claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had dismissed several cabinet ministers.
The report, originally published by Phoenix Browser and widely shared across social media, alleged the sacking of Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle. The Presidency has since dismissed the claims as baseless.
Reacting to the viral report, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the spread of such misinformation as a threat to national stability and press integrity. Citing a post by the Tinubu support group Renewed Hope United Kingdom on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga urged law enforcement to act swiftly against those responsible.
"Security agencies must urgently take action against fake news websites and platforms, as well as the individuals who propagate these falsehoods without verifying the facts," Onanuga stated. “Press freedom and free speech do not mean a license to peddle lies. Fake news is a form of recklessness that must be criminalised.”
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