The Adamawa State Government has dismissed as false a viral social media report claiming that the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Michika Local Government Area, Rev. Lawan Andini, has been killed.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Iliya James, the government described the claim as “baseless, mischievous, and an attempt to create unnecessary fear and confusion.”
According to the statement, Rev. Andini is alive, safe, and going about his normal activities. The ministry urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety.
The government clarified that the video being circulated to support the allegation is an old clip from 2020 which some individuals have “maliciously recycled” to stir tension in the state.
“The Adamawa State Government expresses deep concern over the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at destabilising the peace and harmony the state continues to enjoy,” the statement said.
James disclosed that security agencies have been directed to trace the originators and promoters of the fake report, noting that spreading false information capable of inciting panic is a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
The ministry called on residents to remain calm and continue with their normal activities, urging them to verify information from credible sources before sharing, especially content with the potential to cause public anxiety.
It added that the administration of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri remains committed to safeguarding lives and property and strengthening the state’s culture of interfaith harmony.
“The state’s security architecture remains intact, active, and fully alert,” the statement read.
The ministry encouraged the public to report misleading online content to relevant authorities, stressing that collective vigilance is vital in curbing the spread of harmful misinformation.
