Propaganda, misinformation and fake news have the potential to polarise public opinion, to promote violent extremism and hate speech and, ultimately, to undermine democracies and reduce trust in the democratic processes. Recently, the DEFENCETIMESNG flagged its media campaign against this societal anomaly with a code name called #DTNGFact aimed at deflecting elements of fake news, during and after the Nigeria 2023 Elections.
Elections are fast approaching just as all presidential aspirants have flagged off their campaigns which are already gathering momentum. Nigerians generally are looking forward to a free, fair and credible elections devoid of violence. In this vein also a lot is expected from the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Police as to the provision of secured environment before, during and after the elections.
It’s also important that the Nigeria law enforcement agencies rose to the rank by inviting some of these paid activist using social media to the detriment of Nigeria’s National Security. They should be questioned in accordance to the Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, as amended as this will serve as a deterrent to would be actors.
Recently in this development is the Nigerian lady who was jailed for one year in the United Arab Emirates in accordance to UAE cybercrime law. Therefore, there is need for our Law enforcement agency to help in sanitizing the cyber space as well as promoting the Nigeria Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act.
In the same vein, our league of OSINT Analysts has trailed the alleged news of “Bombs being rigged within the Federal Capital Territory with a political agenda of setting up a parallel government” to two Twitter accounts @otubamarujeje and @2_amaechi. It will be in the interest of National security that such persons are summoned to verify their claim or at least retract such malicious content.
Further investigation revealed that among these two persons is Mr Segun Onibiyo who has previously been arrested over alleged incitement, defamation of character and injurious falsehood against the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
At DefenceTimesNG we are committed to promoting a safe cyber space thus we call on Nigerian Law enforcement agencies to help in putting a stop at the spontaneous increase of misinformation for enhanced national security as well as encourage our readers and followers to report such fake news and stop the propaganda.
