It was alleged in a viral video that a mob protesting the outcome of the 2023 general elections attacked Yakubu’s house in Bauchi.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A mob did not attack the house of the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in Bauchi, his Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi said on Saturday.
It was alleged in a viral video that a mob protesting the outcome of the 2023 general elections attacked Yakubu’s house in Bauchi.
But Oyekanmi said, “The property being purportedly attacked by some youths in a video clip circulating on the social media does not belong to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
“The INEC Chairman does not own the property in question in either Bauchi or anywhere else around the world.
“This narrative is indeed the latest in the series of desperate smear campaign efforts by mischief makers. The public should disregard it.”
Bauchi State Police Command also refuted the claims in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil.
The spokesperson said Yakubu’s house was never attacked, adding that the false news was the handiwork of mischief makers.
READ ALSO:
INEC, Mahmood Yakubu working for APC, says Atiku
“The attention of the Bauchi State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video making the rounds in sections of the media purporting that the residence of the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was attacked in Bauchi by some angry Nigerians.
“We wish to clarify that such an incident never occurred in the state as the report is fake and should be disregarded by Nigerians.
“Being mindful of the negative impacts of disinformation on public peace, and security, particularly during the post-election period, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aminu Alhassan psc (+) has immediately ordered a discreet investigation to unravel the origin of the viral video and to bring anyone found behind the fabrication of the video to face the wrath of the law.
“For the sake of emphasis, the Command wishes to unequivocally states that there was no attack of any nature on the residence of the INEC Chairman and in Bauchi in general.
“However, members of the public are enjoined not to panic and the viral video should be disregarded in its entirety.
“Members of the public are also urged to familiarize themselves with the provision of the law and be aware of the penalties for violating them most especially cybercrime laws with the new trends in the digital media space,” the PPRO stated.