The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Destiny Ekhorutomuen for allegedly spreading false information on social media to discredit the police and incite public unrest. The 38-year-old suspect reportedly recirculated debunked claims, targeting a deputy commissioner. Authorities warn against the misuse of social media for fake news and incitement.
A 38-year-old man, Destiny Ekhorutomuen, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for allegedly using social media to spread false content aimed at inciting public unrest against the police. Ekhorutomuen, who was detained in Edo State on December 8, 2024, reportedly operated multiple social media accounts to circulate misleading information.
At a press conference in Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, revealed that Ekhorutomuen was behind a viral video claiming that a deputy commissioner of police in Kaduna was involved in arms trafficking. This video, originally debunked by the NPF in 2019, was recirculated by Ekhorutomuen to further discredit the police and create public disorder.
The police emphasized that the suspect deliberately aimed to tarnish the reputation of law enforcement and stir unrest by propagating falsehoods. Despite the NPF's repeated efforts to clarify the misinformation, Ekhorutomuen's actions were seen as a deliberate attempt to damage public trust in the police and government.
Adejobi reiterated the NPF’s zero tolerance for activities that threaten national security, warning that spreading fake news or using social media to incite violence is a criminal offense. He urged citizens to be responsible online and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine the nation's stability.
