The leadership of Sardauna Local Government Council of Taraba State has warned individuals and groups against using social media to circulate unverified information capable of escalating the recent breach of peace in Mbara Village, Mbamnga District.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the council, Mohammed Jirji Umar, who expressed concern over what he described as the circulation of falsehoods, inciting videos, old photographs, hate speech and exaggerated reports about the incident.
Umar said the activities were undermining efforts by the Taraba State Government, security agencies, traditional institutions and the local government 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.
He assured residents that Sardauna Local Government Council remained calm, with security agencies firmly deployed and in control of the situation.
He added that normalcy was gradually returning to the affected area, while dialogue was ongoing among relevant stakeholders as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
The council issued what it described as a final warning to individuals, groups and bloggers within and outside the local government to desist from publishing, sharing or forwarding unverified, inciting or misleading materials.
“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 relating to criminal defamation, incitement and breach of public peace”, the chairman warned.
The chairman appealed to residents and other well-meaning citizens to disregard fake news and obtain information through official channels.
He also urged members of the public to use social media responsibly and report suspicious online activities to security agencies.
He called on residents to use social media platforms as tools for promoting peace and reconciliation rather than aggravating tensions in the local government.
Taraba council warns against social media posts capable of escalating crisis