IGP Olatunji Disu Warns of Fake News Threats to 2027 Elections

Olatunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police, issued a warning regarding the threats posed by fake news, fabricated videos, and artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes to national security and the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking at the annual conference and awards of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday, Disu highlighted that unverified security reports could incite panic, encourage violence, and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

He urged journalists, particularly crime reporters, to verify information before publication to prevent misinformation from exacerbating security challenges. Disu explained that false reports could create insecurity even in the absence of actual crime, leading to unnecessary community evacuations and business shutdowns.

He also addressed the manipulation of media through deepfakes, which could misrepresent public figures. Festus Fifen, CCAN Chairman, and Grace Ike, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, echoed the need for accurate reporting and adequate protection for journalists during the elections.