Kano Police Debunks Viral Fake News on Alleged Killing of Igbo Travelers

The Kano State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging the killing of Igbo travelers in a reprisal attack following the lynching of northern hunters in Edo State.

On Saturday, social media was flooded with claims that an 18-seater bus carrying Igbo passengers from the South-East was ambushed and set ablaze in Kano by a violent mob.

The viral post alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of northern travelers in Edo and claimed that no one survived.

It further suggested that panic had gripped the Igbo community in Kano, with Fulani men reportedly launching attacks on individuals of Igbo descent.

The post, accompanied by images of a burnt vehicle, read: “BREAKING: An 18-seater bus carrying Igbo passengers was set on fire in Kano. Panic has spread across the Igbo community in the state as Fulani men go on a rampage, attacking and killing any Igbo they come across in retaliation for the killing carried out by Edo hunters.”

READ ALSO: President Tinubu Condemns Killing of Travelling Hunters in Edo, Orders Swift Investigation

However, in a swift response, the Kano State Police Command debunked the allegations, categorically labeling them as false and misleading.

In an official statement, the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, urged the public to disregard the viral post, emphasizing that no such incident occurred in the state.

“The Kano State Police Command is committed to maintaining law and order in the state and ensuring the safety and security of all residents, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds,” Kiyawa stated.

He further revealed that security operatives have launched an investigation to track down those responsible for spreading the fake news, vowing that legal actions would be taken against them.

“We have commenced an investigation into the source of this fake news and will take necessary actions to bring those responsible to justice. We appeal to the public to cooperate with the police and report any suspicious activities or individuals spreading false information.”

A fact-check into the viral post confirmed that the alleged attack never took place in Kano or anywhere in the North.

The images used in the post were traced to a road accident that occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in September 2023.

Security analysts have raised concerns over the deliberate spread of such misinformation, warning that it could incite ethnic and religious violence.

Experts have urged social media users to verify information before sharing and avoid posts aimed at fueling tension.

The police have reassured the public of their commitment to maintaining peace and have encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.