The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to urgently investigate viral social media rumours alleging the collapse and death of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution followed a point of order raised on the Senate floor by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West), who condemned the reports as false, reckless and capable of misleading the public.
Zam described the rumours which claimed that Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London as unacceptable misinformation against Nigeria’s number three citizen. He urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those behind the claims. “This is a very serious matter. Reports alleging that the Senate President is dead in a London hospital are unacceptable. Such misinformation about the leaders of this country must be investigated and those responsible punished,” Zam said.
He also warned of a growing trend of fake news targeting national leaders, citing similar false reports about former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.In his response, Akpabio acknowledged the challenge of regulating social media narratives but asked the chamber if it agreed that the matter should be referred to security agencies for investigation.
The motion was put to a voice vote and unanimously adopted, mandating the NSA and DSS to probe the source and intent of the rumours.
