Police denies arresting critics for insulting public officials, warns against falsehoods

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has denied allegations of arresting critics for insulting public officials and politicians.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made the denial in a video he posted on the official X handle of the Nigeria Police on Saturday night, however, cautioned Nigerians against spreading falsehoods, disinformation, mal-information, or distorting facts online, noting that they are criminal offense.

In the video Adejobi said Nigerians should cultivate the habit of fact-checking before sharing information, particularly urging bloggers, journalists, and content creators to verify their facts before publishing.

“I want to put it on record that the Nigeria police Force has not been witch hunting anybody with the use or application of Cybercrime Act 2024 as amended,” the police spokesman said.

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“We have not charged or arrested anybody for criticising the government, criticising the IG of police, No. Go and check the records. We actually arrested and prosecuted those who were out there peddling falsehoods.

“Spreading falsehoods, disinformation, mal-information, distortion or facts or the likes online is a criminal offence.

“Whether it is online or you are printing it, whatever you are going to do, please make sure you verify and get accurate facts of any issue you want to discuss.

“Publishing, coming online, either you are a content creator, blogger, journalist, you must make sure that you verify your stories and possibly balance the story before you come online to peddle falsehood,” Adejobi added.

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