Police allege man paid N1,000 to pose as Deputy Senate President’s father
Kano State Police Investigate Viral Video Alleging Senator’s Neglect
KANO, Nigeria — The Kano State Police Command announced on Friday that an elderly man featured in a viral video, who claimed to be the father of Deputy President of the Senate Barau I. Jibrin, was allegedly paid 1,000 Naira to deliver the statement.
The video, which gained significant attention on social media, depicted the elderly man in poor condition, asserting that Senator Barau had abandoned him and neglected his needs.
CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated in a press release via his verified Facebook account that the portrayal was allegedly orchestrated with the intention of damaging the senator’s reputation.
In connection with the video, police arrested a young man suspected of facilitating the arrangement, claiming he hired the elderly man to falsely represent himself as Senator Barau’s biological father.
During questioning, authorities reported that the elderly man confessed to accepting 1,000 Naira to participate in the video and make the claims regarding the senator.
Kiyawa noted that the suspects expressed remorse for their actions during their interrogation but emphasized that the police would not take the matter lightly. He affirmed that the Command intends to pursue legal action against those implicated to prevent similar misuse of social media for reputational harm.
Ongoing investigations are expected to culminate in court proceedings for the suspects once they are completed. The Command also urged the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of sensational social media content before sharing, particularly when it could harm someone’s reputation.
