Insecurity: NSCDC warns against misinformation, fake videos

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu Photo NSCDC

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has warned Nigerians against spreading misinformation and propaganda that could worsen insecurity and trigger attacks on innocent citizens.

The Commandant of the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, gave the warning during a nationwide roadshow organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, Stanley Ogadigo.

Odumosu said the spread of unverified information, particularly on social media, could create panic, heat the polity and encourage criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping.

He said, “In combating insecurity, it is very germane that we create this awareness because there is so much misinformation and miscommunication and various forms of propaganda that are not good for our collective well-being.

“Somebody would just wake up from somewhere, bring out a video that is as old as 20 years, where maybe a crisis happened, target happenings now in places like Kano State and start dishing out instructions like ‘Everybody, if you are going to Kano, please take a detour.’ Such irresponsible communication can heat the political climate.

“And, of course, because our people don’t always go to the extent of verifying this information, many just jump to a conclusion that it is true. This has resulted in a lot of chaos and attacks on innocent citizens.”

According to him, many Nigerians often fail to verify information before sharing it, resulting in panic, confusion and, in some cases, attacks on innocent people.

He urged Nigerians, particularly young people who are active on social media, to communicate responsibly and avoid content capable of provoking violence, banditry and kidnapping.

“So, the essence is for us to learn to communicate responsibly, especially in this age of social media. People ought to know that it is not too good to send out information that can heat the polity or things that can make people start attacking themselves and encourage banditry, kidnapping and all of that.

“This is why I find the theme of this World Public Relations Forum very apt. So, I am saying this so that we can send out a message loud and clear that we should endeavour to communicate responsibly, especially to our youth in this age of social media. People should use social media responsibly,” he stated.

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The Chairman of the National Planning Committee for the WPRF, Dr Suleiman Haruna, also called for greater responsibility in the use of social media, particularly with the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

Haruna said the forum’s theme, “Responsible Communications: Voice of the World,” was designed to address growing concerns over information integrity and the misuse of communication platforms.

Also speaking, Ogadigo described Nigeria’s hosting of the forum as a major reputation-building opportunity for the country.

The NIPR chairman urged Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the event, saying it would provide an opportunity to reshape Nigeria’s image before the international community.

He said, “Today is a very remarkable day because Nigeria is hosting the World Public Relations Forum. This project is very significant to Nigeria because, for us, it’s a reputation project for the country. Nigeria has fought very hard to win this hosting right. This is the first time the World Public Relations Forum will be hosted in Nigeria. For the entire continent of Africa, this is the second time.

“We are very glad to say that the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, is doing his best to give it the attention that it deserves. We want to call on every responsible Nigerian and corporate entity, and whoever is a stakeholder in this project, to come together. Let us redefine Nigeria before the global community.”

He added that Dangote had committed to attending and supporting the event, while the World Bank, United Nations and World Customs Organisation were also expected to participate.

The forthcoming World Public Relations Forum is expected to attract about 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance.

The forum is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the NIPR.

The Presidency had, on August 20, assured the organisers of its support for the event.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance when he received members of the WPRF Abuja 2026 Planning Committee at the State House.