Published By Olukayode Idowu
Members of the public have been advised to discount a viral post that claimed that Yobe State is boiling with churches burnt and Christians killed.
The advice was given by the Yobe State Police Command and spokesman to the Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Mallam Mamman Mohammed in separate press statements.
They said the North East state has not been under any security breach and that the article was the handiwork of mischief makers.
The statement by the Police titled: “A Trending Fake News,” signed by the Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Dungus AbdulKarim read:
“The attention of Yobe State Police Command has been drawn to an information making round on social media to the effect that: “RE: Yobe in Nigeria is boiling now. Churches are being burnt, many Christians killed. Please pray even if its five minutes and forward to other people of faith for intercession. Don’t ignore. Cry to our God against those Islamic terrorists. He’ll hear and heal our land, Nigeria! From CAN Abuja.”
Abdulkarim said: “However, in view of this sensitive information. The Yobe State Police Command writes to call on all indigenes of Yobe State and by extension all Nigerians to disregard the information because it is an outright fabrication, false and misleading as Yobe state is calm and all religious faith both Christians and Muslims are living in peace and harmony.
“The Police Command wishes to also reiterate that the fake publication is the handwork of mischief makers who wants to throw Yobe State and Nigeria into confusion and religious conflagration.
He reiterated the commitment of the Yobe State Police Command to provide a safe and secured environment where growth and development thrives.
“We wish to call on the general public to continue to cooperate and partner with the Command in this noble task,” the police spokesman said.
In his statement, the spokesman of the governor said: “The attention of Yobe state government has been drawn to a fake, absolutely false and misleading post in the social media purportedly from CAN Abuja, claiming that Yobe state is boiling.
“The post mischievously claimed “Yobe state in Nigeria is boiling now. Churches are being burnt, many christians killed. Please pray even if its 5 minutes and forward to other people of Faith for intercession.
“The post added “Don’t ignore. Cry to our God against those Islamic Terrorists. He’ll hear and heal our land, Nigeria! From CAN Abuja”.
“The post also pleaded for repost “Please send to at least 10 Christians to stand in the gap: God bless you as you comply”
Mohammed said “the deceitful article is deliberately circulated to fan embers of hate and crisis among Nigerians of different faith.
“The mendacious post is over five years old. As a journalist, l had then received several calls from colleagues residing outside Yobe state seeking for details and clarifications.
“I wish to make it abundantly clear, just as the police authority in the state has done, that Yobe state by the Special grace of God is very calm and peaceful.
“It is disheartening that mischief makers and doom seekers have continued to share this fake and misleading post intended to cause disharmony.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard this mischievous post as Yobe state is very peaceful.”