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Police Dismiss Viral Abuja Terror Video, Arrest Suspect For Spreading False Alarm
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorists attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, describing it as false, misleading, and malicious.
The Force also confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the creation and dissemination of the content.
The viral clips, which spread across multiple social media platforms including X, caused panic among residents of the FCT.
Public anxiety was further heightened by a recent United States travel advisory and the temporary evacuation of embassy staff within the same period.
One of the trending videos falsely claimed that the military had flown about 1,000 chained and blindfolded terrorist fighters into Abuja using a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft.
Although security authorities, including the military and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), had yet to issue an official statement at the time of the panic, findings suggested the movement being misinterpreted may be linked to ongoing terrorist trials.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had recently disclosed that about 500 Boko Haram suspects are currently standing trial at Federal High Courts in Maitama, Abuja.
Unlike previous years, when such mass trials were conducted in Kainji, Niger State, the proceedings are now being held in the Federal Capital Territory, with suspects brought in from detention facilities, mostly in Maiduguri, for prosecution.
A source familiar with the process clarified that the suspects are not based in Abuja but are in military detention elsewhere and are only transported for court proceedings.
The source added that the ongoing convictions and movement of suspects for trial may have been misinterpreted and circulated as security threats.
“The trials started earlier this week and are ongoing. It is likely that what people saw was the movement of suspects for court appearances, which was misunderstood,” the source said.
The Nigeria Police Force, however, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately manipulated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to create a false narrative aimed at inciting fear and panic.
The Force confirmed that operatives had arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the production and circulation of the video.
According to the statement, digital forensic analysis traced the content to the suspect, who allegedly fabricated the footage using unrelated video clips and superimposed gunshot sounds.
The Police emphasised that freedom of expression does not include the right to spread misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security.
It urged members of the public to verify information before sharing and avoid content that could incite fear or disorder.
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi,
described the video as deceptive and confirmed that it was entirely fabricate.
