Police warn against digital thuggery, fake news ahead 2027 election
Niger State Police Call for Responsible Social Media Use Ahead of 2027 Elections
NIGER STATE, Nigeria — The Niger State Police Command has issued a warning to youth leaders, media handlers, and digital influencers to refrain from using social media to disseminate fake news, hate speech, and other inflammatory content that could incite political violence leading up to the 2027 general elections.
The alert was made during a Digital Capacity Building Training held on August 15, 2026, at Bahago Roundabout in Minna. The event, organized by Triple T, gathered youth leaders, media professionals, digital influencers, and communication stakeholders from nine local government areas within Zone B, just days ahead of the electoral campaign kickoff set for August 19.
Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, emphasized the risks associated with misinformation and hate speech during a lecture aligned with the Inspector-General of Police’s National Digital Responsibility Campaign.
Abiodun cautioned attendees that the spread of false information and digital manipulation could escalate tensions online and lead to political unrest. He urged participants to fact-check claims, carefully verify information before sharing, and respect differing political viewpoints. The goal, he noted, should be to foster peaceful democratic engagement rather than to empower political thuggery.
Additionally, Abiodun addressed the potential legal repercussions of online actions that could incite violence or cause public disorder. He challenged digital influencers and youth leaders to leverage their platforms to combat misinformation, promote tolerance, and encourage a focus on the issues within political discourse.
“The youth play a critical role in ensuring that social media serves to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes,” Abiodun said.
The Niger State Police Command reiterated its commitment to collaborating with youths and other stakeholders to promote responsible digital communication and prevent social media from becoming a catalyst for electoral violence. The training session further solidified the partnership between law enforcement and communication professionals in efforts to enhance public awareness, preventive policing, and community safety as political activity ramps up.
