The Nigeria Police High Command has debunked rumours that dozens of terrorists have found a safe haven in Lugbe, the airport road axis of Abuja.
Rumours had spread like wildfire that over 70 terrorists had relocated to Lugbe.
A warning, purportedly from the police high command, urging residents to remain indoors was also in circulation.
Police spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who described the information as fake news, noted that the attention of the police was drawn to the false and misleading message circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, alleging the presence of 79 terrorists in the Lugbe axis and surrounding areas, and announcing a curfew.
“This message is entirely untrue and should be disregarded.
“The Police Force categorically debunks the claims made in the message. From intelligence gathered by the Force Intelligence teams and other security agencies, there are no terrorists taking refuge in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory. The message, purportedly signed by ‘ACP Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Police Command Headquarters, Abuja,’ is a fabrication.
“The Force believes this message was generated by a devious person or persons with the intent to create tension, incite panic, and destabilize the existing peace in the FCT. We urge citizens to digest only news and information from the official handles of the Nigeria Police Force on social media, namely @PoliceNG on X, @ngpolice on Facebook, and @nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram, as well as verified news sources.
“The Nigeria Police Force urges the public to exercise caution when sharing information online and to verify the authenticity of any security-related alerts with official sources before disseminating them. Citizens should disregard news and information not originating from authentic police sources and should not panic due to unverified news circulating on social media.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and residents of the Federal Capital Territory and the entire country. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through our emergency contact lines.
“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation of the public and assures them of our unwavering dedication to protecting lives and property,” Adejobi said.
