The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a man accused of spreading misleading information that could incite public unrest.
The arrest comes after a video clip resurfaced online, falsely claiming that police officers were involved in an armed robbery in Gamawa along the Kano-Maiduguri road in 2020.
In a press briefing held at the State Police Headquarters, Bauchi, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, speaking on behalf of Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Mohammed, clarified that the video, which has been circulating on social media, is outdated and misleading.
The clip shows a police vehicle parked by the roadside at the scene of the 2020 robbery, with a voiceover suggesting that the officers in the vehicle were the culprits.
SP Wakil explained that the officers in question were actually responding to a distress call about the robbery. Upon arrival, they pursued the suspects into the bush, leaving their vehicle behind.
“This video does not reflect any recent actions by the Bauchi State Police Command. It is being used out of context to mislead the public,” Wakil stated.
The man arrested in connection with spreading the video has been identified as Adamu Ahmed Suleiman, a resident of Anguwan Sarakuna, Bauchi.
According to the police, Suleiman deliberately shared the video on social media to incite public anger against the police.
His actions, which the Command described as “offensive and defamatory,” have been deemed criminal under the Cybercrimes Act 2024.
The police warned that anyone found disseminating false or misleading information that could disrupt public peace would face legal action.
Suleiman is set to be charged under sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalize the spread of false information intended to cause public disorder.
The Command also urged citizens to be vigilant about the information they share, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public order and safety.
“We want to assure the public that the Bauchi State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to enforce the law without prejudice,” Wakil concluded.
The arrest serves as a stern warning to those who might consider using misinformation as a tool to destabilize the peace in Bauchi State.
