The Nigeria Police Force has moved swiftly to dispel a fraudulent “wanted” notice that falsely claimed popular Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo was being sought by law enforcement authorities, marking the latest incident in a growing wave of disinformation targeting Nigerian celebrities on social media platforms.
The fabricated notice, which gained significant traction across various social media channels over recent days, purported to originate from the Office of the Inspector General of the Police Monitoring Unit. However, police officials were quick to categorically deny any connection to the document, labeling it as “false, misleading, and not issued by the Force.”
In an official statement released through the NPF’s verified Facebook page, authorities took the unusual step of issuing a “FAKE NEWS ALERT” to combat the spread of the disinformation. The strongly-worded statement read: “This ‘WANTED’ poster of actress Iyabo Ojo did not emanate from the Nigeria Police Force. It is false & misleading and was never posted on any official NPF platform. Disregard & stop spreading fake news.”
The incident highlights the persistent challenge of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital landscape, where fabricated documents and false claims can spread rapidly across social media platforms before authorities have the opportunity to respond. The targeting of high-profile entertainment figures like Ojo, who commands a substantial following both in Nigeria and across the African diaspora, demonstrates how celebrities remain vulnerable to such malicious campaigns.
Police authorities used the opportunity to reinforce their ongoing public education campaign about media literacy and information verification. “Verify only from official NPF channels,” the statement emphasized, underscoring the importance of consulting authorized sources before sharing potentially damaging content.
The Nigeria Police Force maintains several official communication channels, including verified social media accounts and its official website, through which legitimate announcements and notices are disseminated to the public. The force has repeatedly stressed that citizens should rely exclusively on these platforms for accurate information regarding police operations and investigations.
This latest incident adds to a concerning pattern of fake law enforcement documents circulating on Nigerian social media, ranging from false arrest warrants to fabricated press releases. Digital security experts have warned that such disinformation campaigns can cause significant reputational damage to targeted individuals while also undermining public trust in legitimate law enforcement communications.
As investigations continue into the source of the fraudulent notice, authorities are urging social media users to exercise greater caution when encountering and sharing content that appears to originate from official government sources. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with the power to instantly share information in the digital age.
The Nigerian Police Force has not indicated whether it will pursue legal action against those responsible for creating or initially disseminating the false document, but the incident underscores the ongoing need for stronger measures to combat the spread of disinformation across Nigerian digital platforms.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that a viral “wanted” notice for Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo circulating on social media is completely fake and was never issued by law enforcement.
