Police Arrest Man Over Viral Fake Terror Attack Video in Abuja

Police in Nigeria have arrested a man identified as Pam Joseph over a viral video that falsely claimed a terrorist attack was underway in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Nigeria Police Force said the video circulating on social media was fabricated and did not reflect any real security incident in the capital. In a statement on Friday, police spokesperson Anthony Okon Placid described the claim as false and deliberately misleading.

According to the statement, investigators found that the footage used in the video was taken from unrelated online sources and edited to suggest an ongoing attack. Authorities said the material was designed to create panic and undermine public confidence in security operations.

The suspect, Pam Joseph, was reportedly identified through digital forensic analysis and intelligence tracking that linked him to both the creation and distribution of the video. He is currently in custody and is expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of investigations.

The police also reiterated that while freedom of expression is protected, it does not cover the spread of false information capable of triggering public fear or disorder. They added that monitoring of online spaces will continue, with enforcement actions taken against individuals found responsible for misinformation that could threaten public safety.

Members of the public were advised to verify information before sharing and avoid amplifying unverified claims that could cause unnecessary alarm.