The leadership of the Sardauna Local Government Council in Taraba State has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups against using social media to circulate unverified information that could exacerbate the recent breach of peace in Mbara Village, Mbamnga District.
In a statement signed by Council Chairman Mohammed Jirji Umar, the local government expressed deep concern over the widespread circulation of falsehoods, inciting videos, old photographs, hate speech, and exaggerated reports regarding the incident. Umar stated that such activities are actively undermining the efforts of the Taraba State Government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and the local council to restore lasting peace and security in the affected communities.
“The council would no longer tolerate the circulation of content capable of worsening the situation,” the chairman said.
Umar assured residents that the Sardauna Local Government Council remains calm, with security agencies firmly deployed and in control of the situation. He noted that normalcy is gradually returning to the area, while dialogue among relevant stakeholders continues as part of the broader efforts to resolve the crisis.
The council issued what it described as a final warning to individuals, groups, and bloggers, both within and outside the local government, to desist from publishing, sharing, or forwarding unverified, inciting, or misleading materials. The chairman warned that anyone found engaging in such activities would be tracked, arrested, and prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as other applicable laws concerning criminal defamation, incitement, and breach of public peace.
Residents and other citizens were appealed to disregard fake news and obtain information exclusively through official channels. Furthermore, the public was urged to use social media responsibly, report suspicious online activities to security agencies, and utilize these platforms as tools for promoting peace and reconciliation rather than aggravating tensions in the local government.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
