The Anambra State Government has debunked reports of an alleged attack by Fulani herdsmen in Umuchu community, describing the claim as fake and warning that those behind such misinformation will be prosecuted.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, said the government had investigated a viral video and voice note circulating on social media, which alleged that Fulani herdsmen invaded Umuchu and killed several people. He confirmed that no such incident occurred in the area or anywhere else in the state.

“It has come to the attention of the Anambra State Government that certain mischievous and malicious individuals are circulating false audio and video messages on social media platforms, claiming to show incidents of insecurity in the state,” Mefor said.

“The latest example is a video with a voice note alleging that Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in Umuchu, killing several people. After investigations, the claim was discovered to be completely false, as no such incident occurred in Umuchu or anywhere in Anambra State, and Fulani herdsmen were not involved in any such attack.”

Mefor clarified that the event shown in the video occurred in another state, not Anambra, and accused unnamed individuals of deliberately stoking fear.

“This is viewed as nothing short of propaganda from the pit of hell, orchestrated by individuals seeking to promote insecurity in Anambra State for reasons best known to them,” he said.

He also noted a growing trend of old and unrelated videos being recycled and rebranded as recent incidents of violence in the state.

Mefor warned that the government would no longer tolerate efforts to destabilize the peace, adding that the state is employing advanced technology to trace the originators of the misleading content.

“Meanwhile, the state is leveraging advanced technology to track down the originators of such fake news and will not hesitate to take decisive action, including prosecution in line with the express provisions of the cybercrime laws,” he said.

“So, let it be known that perpetrators of fake news will henceforth be arrested and visited with the full wrath of the law.”