A member of the vigilante group, Umar Muhammed helping the military fight against the insurgent group Boko Haram in Borno State, a.k.a Civilian JTF, has been arrested for allegedly spreading fake news about the killings of soldiers.
According to newsmen, the 29-year old posted on his Facebook page that Boko Haram had killed five soldiers and kidnapped many others while securing workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. They were repairing electricity facilities along Maiduguri-Damaturu road last Monday.
It was reported that he made the post on February 8 during an operational tour by the newly appointed Army Chief (COAS), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Ado Isa, in his previous statement, described the report as ”fake and misleading”.
He said: “Contrary to the rumors making the rounds, nobody was attacked on Monday, as the road was cleared for the maiden visitation of the COAS, who came to see the troops of Special Army Super Camp, Ngamdu.
“No repair work has been carried out on the TCN facility, as the workers were asked not to go, because our troops who were supposed to provide them with an escort, were busy preparing for the COAS visit.
“To this end, the Nigerian Army wishes to unequivocally state that the claims contained in the disjointed report on Nigerian Army troops are nothing but fake, malicious and frivolous.”
Some report has it that the suspect said his phone was hacked by anonymous to send the fake information.