By Mike Odeh James
(Kaduna) In a decisive move to combat misinformation, the Nigerian federal police have issued a strong warning to broadcasters and online platforms regarding the dissemination of an unverified terror claims This action came in response to a widely circulated false report originating with Diaspora Digital Media on June 5, 2025, which alleged mass kidnappings along the notoriously insecure Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
As of June 9, 2025, Diaspora Digital Media had quietly removed the false report from its website. However, observers noted that the platform had failed to issue any formal retraction or apology for the widespread panic caused by its initial publication—an omission that has drawn criticism from media watchdog groups.
Diaspora Digital Media’s report, which spread like wildfire across social media platforms, claimed that no fewer than 200 commuters had fallen victim to a large-scale ambush by kidnappers. However, upon investigation, the Kaduna State Police Command swiftly debunked these claims, labeling them as “entirely fabricated” and without any factual basis.
“False reports not only create unnecessary panic among citizens but also significantly hinder our security operations,” said DSP Mansir Hassan, the official spokesman for the Kaduna Command during a press briefing. “We are putting all media houses on notice that those found intentionally spreading such dangerous falsehoods will face legal consequences, which may include being summoned to Abuja for questioning.”
The police authorities further stressed that national security becomes compromised when media outlets, whether intentionally or negligently, circulate unverified, alarmist, or sensationalist claims, particularly on sensitive matters relating to terrorism or mass violence. This stern warning underscores the growing concern about the rapid spread of fake news and its potential to destabilize the already fragile security situation in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no recorded incident of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway in the past two years,” DSP Hassan categorically stated in his June 5, 2025 press release. “This critical route remains under constant surveillance and is patrolled round-the-clock by combined teams from the Nigerian Police Force, the Military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilante groups.”
Media Outlets Rally to Publish Police Denial
By all accounts the false message was a rumor, not a hoax intentionally launched to undermine police work. But rapid spread of the rumor caused panic, particularly among families with loved ones routinely traveling the Abuja-Kaduna route.
Following the official rebuttal from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian media organizations took proactive steps to correct the misinformation:
1. The Guardian Newspaper published a detailed report on June 5, 2025, that contradicted the mass-abduction claims. The article extensively quoted the police statement that denied any kidnapping incidents along the highway.
2. Similarly, The Nation Newspaper updated its online platform the same day to reflect the police’s firm position. Notably, the publication had shown commendable restraint by not amplifying the initial kidnapping rumor, instead choosing to focus on amplifying the official police rebuttal once it was released.
3. Daily Post, to its credit, did not publishing the unverified kidnapping claim. Instead, it promptly shared the police denial to counter the misinformation circulating online.
Traffic Gridlock, Not a Kidnapping Incident
TruthNigeria conducted on-the-ground interviews with several travelers who were on the highway at the time of the alleged incident. Their accounts painted a completely different picture from the viral rumor.
Gideon Akatu, a textile trader returning to Zaria from Abuja, provided a firsthand account: “I was on that road the exact day this rumor started. While it’s true there was serious traffic congestion stretching for kilometers, there was absolutely no sign of any kidnappers or security incident whatsoever. We were all just stuck in the usual Sallah traffic.”
To understand what might have sparked the false kidnapping reports, TruthNigeria consulted veteran commercial driver Musa Maye, who has plied the Abuja-Kaduna route for over a decade. He offered a plausible explanation:
“This happens every major festive period, especially during Sallah (Eid al-Adha). Thousands of Muslims living in southern cities travel en masse to their hometowns in the north. The resulting traffic gridlock often stretches for hours. Unfortunately, some people see stationary vehicles and immediately assume the worst—that there’s been a kidnapping or attack.”
Ripple Effects of Fake News
Security experts interviewed for this report emphasized that misinformation of this magnitude poses real and tangible threats to national stability. Beyond causing unnecessary public panic, such false reports can have several damaging consequences:
First, they divert already stretched security resources away from actual emergencies as personnel are deployed to investigate bogus claims. Second, they erode public trust in both media institutions and security forces. Perhaps most dangerously, they create an environment of constant fear and uncertainty that terrorists and criminal elements can exploit.
“Disinformation doesn’t just spread panic—it can trigger dangerous crowd behavior, overwhelm emergency response systems, and even incite communal tensions,” explained a security analyst who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of their work.
When Official Denials Fall Short
While the police’s dismissal of the Abuja-Kaduna kidnap claims appears credible based on available evidence, media analysts caution against automatically taking all official denials at face value. There exists a troubling pattern in Nigeria where security agencies sometimes issue blanket denials of incidents that are later confirmed to be true.
A case in point occurred on May 19, 2025, when the Kebbi State Police Command initially dismissed reports of a church kidnapping as “false news.” However, subsequent investigations by independent journalists and victim testimonies confirmed that several worshippers had indeed been abducted.
“This creates a dilemma for the public,” noted the security analyst on background. “On one hand, we have rampant fake news. On the other, there’s justified skepticism about official statements. Citizens are caught between these two unreliable information streams.”
Authorities have urged citizens to adopt a more critical approach to information consumption, advising them to:
– Verify alarming reports through official channels before sharing
– Avoid amplifying unconfirmed stories on social media
– Remain calm but vigilant during potential security situations
Mike Odeh James is a TruthNigeria investigative reporter covering conflict, extremism, and disinformation across Nigeria’s hotspots.
