The Nigeria Police Force said forensic analysis by its cybercrime unit has uncovered details surrounding a misleading video circulating online purportedly highlighting security concerns within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In what the Police considers a significant breakthrough, forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre determined that the video, which caused local alarm, actually captures an incident in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Originally posted on X (formerly Twitter) by a South African individual on April 22nd, 2024, the video inaccurately suggests the necessity of carrying handguns for travel in Ethiopia, the Police said.
“It is deeply concerning that this misleading video has been misappropriated to sow fear and misinformation among residents of the FCT,” the FCT Police Command Abuja said in a statement. This forensic revelation highlights the misrepresentation of the video and its dissemination to instill fear and misinformation among FCT residents. Commissioner of Police CP Benneth Igweh has ordered a comprehensive investigation to trace the origins of the misleading content and uncover the motives behind its propagation, according to the statement.
SP Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police Command, emphasized the critical importance of forensic analysis in verifying digital information and safeguarding public security. The Command, Adeh said, remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all FCT residents and will pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading deceptive content.
The Police urged members of the public to exercise caution and discernment when encountering information online, particularly in the context of misleading digital content.