The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of supervising the ongoing Anambra bye-election, Godwin Eze, has issued a stern warning against the spread of fake news and misleading information during the electoral process.
AIG Eze, who spoke on Saturday, 16th August 2025, stressed that individuals and groups must refrain from circulating false election results, recycling old videos, or making inciteful remarks capable of causing public unrest.
He said such acts not only misinform the public but also pose a direct threat to peace and security during the electoral process.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, remains fully committed to ensuring that the bye-election is peaceful, free, and credible.
He assured voters in Anambra State that adequate security has been provided across all polling units, collation centers, and strategic areas to protect both electoral officials and citizens exercising their civic rights.
The AIG warned that anyone caught engaging in acts of misinformation, rumor-mongering, or conduct likely to incite violence would face the full weight of the law.
He maintained that law enforcement agencies would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral process through deliberate falsehoods or inciteful propaganda.
Eze further appealed to media practitioners and social media users to verify the authenticity of their reports before dissemination.
He noted that unverified information, when shared, could quickly escalate into tension and violence, thereby destabilizing the election atmosphere.
The supervising officer, therefore, urged citizens to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security personnel, and avoid any actions capable of disrupting public order.
He also advised political parties and their supporters to channel grievances through lawful means rather than resorting to the spread of falsehoods or inflammatory statements.
The police boss reiterated that the credibility of the bye-election largely depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the electorate, political actors, and the media.
He gave the assurance that the police and other security agencies will continue to discharge their duties professionally and impartially throughout the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the directive in a statement issued in Awka, urging residents to support ongoing efforts to guarantee a peaceful poll.
The bye-election is being closely monitored by security forces, with the authorities warning that breaches of peace, whether through misinformation or unlawful conduct, will attract severe consequences.
