POLICE ARREST FEMALE SUSPECT WHO REPORTED FAKE NEWS IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER OF PHILIP ATAGA WIFE

Nigerian police nabs female Teacher suspect on Tuesday over fake news in connection with Philip Ataga's wife a Kaduna based Medical Doctor. DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer[FPRO] made mention of this at a news briefing in Abuja.

According to DCP Frank, a Teacher in Kaduna made an allegation on social media that a police officer was involved in the murder case of Atag's wife, the allegation went viral on social media which prompt her arrest. Doctor Philip's wife and two children were abducted on Jan 25, 2020, in their home at Juji community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

During the operation a Vigilante was killed, Philip's wife was later found dead, The abductors later released the two children.

DCP Frank said;

"It was a very damaging story and police operatives immediately set out to investigate the source and the origin of the story.

"After days of investigation, the post that went viral was traced to the suspect who is a teacher in Kaduna.

"This is a classical example of fake news and the problem with this kind of fake news is that it can set the people against the police".

"Fake news of this nature are distractions, the resources that would have been used to investigate important cases are diverted to investigating the source of this kind of story.

"We want to use this opportunity to appeal to the public, particularly the youths, to exercise cautions in the use of the social media.

"You have to be circumspect before pushing out information, if you are not sure of the authenticity, please don't push out the information". he said.