Three young men have been arrested for allegedly spreading fake news of looming attack in some communities in Southern Kaduna.

The suspects, Joel Luka, Emmanuel Daniel and Sylvester Daniel, were arrested in Sabon Kaura village, Zangon Kataf local government of Kaduna State by military intelligence and troops attached to the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

The Sector 7 Commander of OPSH, Col. David Nwakonobi, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 10, while receiving the Kaduna Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who visited the Sector 7 Headquarters on a working visit.

“We are happy to receive you and will want the government to know, that we have arrested three persons that phoned Ungwan Kwaki village in Jema’a local government to deliver fake news of an impending attack that caused panic,” said Nwakonobi.

“Troops tracked the phone used by the suspects and arrested Joel Luka, Emmanuel Daniel and Sylvester Daniel who claimed that Fulanis from Dangoma are coming for an attack, which was later found out to be fake, contrary to the pandemonium that saw women, children and the aged being evacuated from the community.”

He added that the suspects, who are under-18, confessed to being behind the fake news and would be handed over to the appropriate agencies.

In his response, the Commissioner said he was going round military and police formations on internal security operations to extend solidarity to officers and men on the frontline, in view of their dedication to the protection of life and property in the state.

He commended communities in the Southern Kaduna general area for the support given to security agencies, adding that government will continue to engage communities in peace building.