The Kano state police have
arrested the administrator and members of a WhatsApp group for allegedly
circulating fake news.
The group was accused of
spreading the picture of a woman who was accused of trafficking children in
Kano.
According to PRNigeria, Magaji
Musa, Kano police spokesperson, said the suspects were arrested after the woman
issued a complaint to the state command.
Magaji said the suspects, during
interrogation, said they had never met the victim and “sought forgiveness” for
circulating the “fake” information about her.
He said the police have provided
security cover for the woman identified as Bushirat Madaki “for fear of mob
attacks because her image and the false report on her have gone viral”.
Magaji said: “We received a
complaint from a married woman and a civil servant, Mrs Bushirat Madaki, that
her picture is being shared on WhatsApp group with the intent to malign and
incite the public against her.
“Upon receiving the complaint,
the commissioner of police, Alhaji Rabiu Yusuf ordered an immediate
investigation by a special team who were able to trace and arrest three married
suspects a man and two women for circulating the fake and offensive
information.
“When confronted over the
petition against them, the suspects admitted that the image and material on the
woman were shared and forwarded in their group.
“They also admitted that they
didn’t know the woman in person and have never had interaction with her before
distributing the image and the story. They, therefore, sought forgiveness.
“For now, the police command has
granted the suspects bails because the offence is bailable while further
investigation is ongoing.
“The police command is also
currently providing security cover for the innocent woman for fear of mob
attacks because her image and the false report on her have gone viral.
“We call on social media users to
be wary of what they receive and share or forward on social media, especially
WhatsApp. We should guard against the misuse of social media platforms by
sharing and forwarding objectionable or fake messages.”
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