The Nigeria Police Force has swiftly quashed a viral social media rumor alleging that 79 terrorists are hiding in Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and that a curfew has been imposed. In a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi from Force Headquarters, Abuja, the police labeled the claim “entirely untrue” and urged the public to dismiss it outright. The rebuttal comes as a bulwark against misinformation that threatens to unravel the fragile peace in the nation’s capital.
The circulating message, falsely attributed to Adejobi himself, claimed that 79 terrorists had taken refuge in Lugbe following a pursuit by security forces, triggering a curfew from 8:00 p.m. on March 2, 2025, in remote settlements of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The police, however, assert that intelligence from Force teams and other agencies confirms no such threat exists in Lugbe. “The Police Force categorically debunks the claims made in the message,” Adejobi declared, exposing the hoax as a deliberate fabrication designed to sow panic.
Adejobi didn’t mince words about the intent behind the ruse. “The Force believes this message was generated by a devious person/persons with intents to create tension, incite panic and deilize the existing peace in the FCT,” he stated. The false citation of his name and title—“Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Police Command Headquarters, Abuja”—only deepens the deception, a calculated move to lend credibility to the lie. It’s a stark reminder of how misinformation can weaponize trust in official channels.
In response, the police have issued a clarion call for discernment. “We urge citizens to digest only news and information from the official handles of the Nigeria Police Force on social media, such as on X, Facebook, on Instagram and on verified news sources,” Adejobi advised. The proliferation of unverified alerts, he warned, risks amplifying fear and undermining security efforts. “The Nigeria Police Force urges the public to exercise caution when sharing information online and to verify the authenticity of any security-related alerts with official sources before disseminating them,” he added, spotlighting the peril of digital rumor mills.
The stakes are high in the FCT, where ility is both a necessity and a hard-won achievement. Lugbe, a bustling suburb, is no stranger to urban pressures, but the police insist there’s no cause for alarm. “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and residents of the Federal Capital Territory and the entire country,” Adejobi reassured. This commitment isn’t just rhetoric—residents are urged to report suious activity to the nearest police station or via emergency lines, a partnership underscoring vigilance as a collective duty.
The hoax’s specifics—a precise tally of 79 terrorists, a curfew tied to a date—lend it a veneer of plausibility, making the police’s swift debunking all the more critical. Misinformation isn’t new in Nigeria, where social media often amplifies untruths faster than facts can catch up. This incident echoes past scares, from fake abduction alerts to phantom curfews, each eroding public trust. The police’s proactive stance—naming the falsehood, tracing its intent, and rallying the public—aims to stem that tide.
For residents, the message is clear: don’t panic, but don’t slacken. “We encourage the public to remain vigilant,” Adejobi emphasized, pairing reassurance with responsibility. The Force’s closing note was a pledge and a plea: “The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation of the public and assures them of our unwavering dedication to protecting lives and property.” It’s a promise tested daily in a nation where security threats, real and imagined, loom large.
This episode lays bare the double-edged sword of connectivity—information spreads instantly, but so does fear. The police have drawn a line in Lugbe, dismantling a lie before it festers. Yet, the broader challenge persists: in an age of viral whispers, truth must outpace chaos. For now, the FCT breathes easier, but the call to verify, report, and cooperate rings louder than ever.
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I think the police did a good job debunking the hoax, but we should still stay vigilant and not spread panic.
I think we should trust the polices debunking of the hoax in Lugbe. Lets stay calm and vigilant. Panic wont solve anything.
I think its important to verify information before spreading panic. Lets stay vigilant and fact-check before sharing rumors.
I feel like the police should have addressed the hoax quicker to prevent unnecessary panic. Communication is key!
Im not convinced the police response was enough. We need more transparency and better communication to prevent panic.
Could this hoax be a tactic to downplay real security threats? Lets stay vigilant and question official narratives.