ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has moved swiftly to douse growing panic across the city, dismissing viral reports of a terrorist “takeover” and heavy gunfire as “purely malicious fake news.”
The clarification comes after social media was flooded on Thursday, April 9, with claims that Fulani Islamic terrorists were raining gunshots across the capital in a desperate bid to seize control of the seat of power.
Audio Manipulation Exposed
Following an emergency security review, Police Commissioner Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi confirmed that there have been no recorded security breaches or gun battles within the FCT. Investigations into the viral “proof” of the attack revealed that the audio of heavy gunfire had been digitally superimposed onto old footage of construction sites and residential areas to create the illusion of a war zone.
“There is no terrorist takeover,” a police spokesperson stated. “The city is calm, and our men are on high alert. We urge residents to stop spreading unverified videos designed to cause mass hysteria.”
The Borno Connection
Security analysts suggest the confusion may have been amplified by the actual, verified tragedy in Borno State today. Earlier this morning, a Brigadier General and 18 soldiers were killed in a brutal ambush by ISWAP in Benisheikh. While that event was catastrophic, it took place over 700 kilometres away from the capital.
Why the Panic?
The jitters in Abuja were further fueled by the U.S. Embassy’s decision to suspend visa appointments today following a “terror alert” and the evacuation of non-essential staff. This diplomatic retreat created a vacuum of information that rumor-mongers quickly filled with stories of an imminent invasion.
While the capital remains on high security alert due to the U.S. travel warnings, the FCT Police Command maintains that all entry and exit points are secure. Residents have been advised to go about their normal business while reporting any truly suspicious activity to the police emergency lines.
