By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A non governmental organization, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has charged the Federal Government to shift attention to addressing insecurity in the country by tackling fake news by suspected criminals.

The group was reacting to the fake news and false report carried on the social media claiming that Bishop Mathew Kukah’s House, Cathedral and N1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre were set ablazed by Islamists in Sokoto on Saturday.

In a statement signed by the MMWG national coordinator, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and released on Sunday, the group informed that the report has since been denied by Bishop Kukah himself in an official disclaimer signed by his Director of Communications at the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Pascal Salifu.

It added that the military and security agencies have also denied the report, and therefore, described it as not only false, but “irresponsible and highly condemnable.”

While calling on the military and other security agencies to advance their operations from reactive to proactive onslaught against terrorists, bandits, insurgents and kidnappers, the group called on President Bola Tinubu to scrap the Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy if its managers, including those in its agencies cannot technologically pick purveyors of fake news through their postings.

Describing purveyors of fake news as terrorists who should be arrested and prosecuted promptly, MMWG said the circulated video about Sokoto Catholic Diocese attack was recorded three years ago and has no bearing with the fake report they circulated.

The group noted that the federal ministries, departments and agencies were established to tackle problems facing the masses, failure of which they risk their continued existence.

It added that the Anti-Cyber Crimes Act, 2015 that was further amended in 2024 by the National Assembly is sufficient to deal with unpatriotic and destructive elements posting fake news to promote insecurity in Nigeria, lamenting that strong legislations that could checkmate fake news are available to punish culprits but arrests are not made.

While not ruling out political motives for spreading false reports, MMWG believes that politicizing insecurity is high unpatriotic and destructive, calling for urgent steps from Federal Government to stem the tide by ordering arrest of criminals whenever they commit the crime.

The group said all Northern states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Kwara and others that have porous borders with neighbouring countries must be secured by the military and other security agencies to ward-off continued insecurity “while the known habitat of criminals terrorising innocent citizens must be smashed and terrorists killed to put a stop to insecurity we are facing in Nigeria.”

“Unless we promptly arrest and prosecute posters of fake news and false reports, insecurity will persist in Nigeria (God forbid),” it stated.

It would be recalled that the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto had in official disclaimer signed by its Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu denied the setting ablaze of Bishop Kukah’s house, Cathedral and N1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre by Islamists in Sokoto.

“We wish to inform the general public that this information is totally false.

“The Bishop’s residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto remain safe, intact, and fully operational.

“This video started circulating in the wake of the brutal murder of Deborah Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, in Sokoto, May 2022. This is the work of persons committed to causing havoc in our society.

“The Bishop expresses gratitude to the military and state security agencies who responded immediately the video started circulating,” the statement reads, adding that “Sokoto remains calm and peaceful.”

By David Owei

Governor Ademola Adeleke has sent his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the residents of Osogbo, the state capital and its environs over the devastating havoc wreaked by rainstorm last night in some parts of the state.

The Governor in a press statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, describes the incidents as sad, ugly and unfortunate.

On behalf of the Government and good people of my state, I sincerely sympathise with the victims of the heavy rainstorms occasioned by devastating downpour this evening Saturday, 28th day of March, 2026 in Osogbo and its adjourning communities.

I must say that i feel deeply torched and alarmed by the incident and my administration, will,no doubt, put in place, everything morally and officially possible through Osun State Emergency Management Agency( OSEMA) with a view to offsetting the attendant losses incurred by the victims in Osogbo and other communities affected by such unfortunate developments.

I have also directed the Ministry of work to quickly swing into action by clear the motor ways to prevent further accidents ”

While blaming climate change as responsible for the increasing natural disasters, the governor said the negative effect of climate change accounts for his government’s concerted policy actions to combat the negative effects of the phenomenon.

He urged residents to prioritise actions that can mitigate natural disasters such as tree planting among others,

By George Mgbeleke

As the Muslim community celebrates Eid -el- Fitr, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens and residents, including the Muslim community in Rivers State.

Governor Fubara made the pledge on Friday at Government House in Port Harcourt while receiving a delegation of the Muslim Ummah led by Alhaji Nasir Uhor, Vice President General of the Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs.

The delegation, comprising Islamic clerics and leaders of the Arewa Community in Rivers State were at the Government House to pay Salah homage to the Governor as part of the Eid -el- Fitr celebration.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, the Governor emphasised that every resident, irrespective of state of origin or religious affiliation, is regarded as an indigene of Rivers State by virtue of their presence and contributions to the socioeconomic development of the state.

“You’re here doing business, automatically you live here. You’re a Rivers indigene , even if you’re not an indigene by birth and because you’ve been living here and you have your children here, you have your houses here, we have every reason to promise you that, as a government, your lives and property will be protected. We’ll do our best to make Rivers State safe for everyone,” he said.

He hailed the dedication and steadfastness of the Muslim community in the observance of their fasting during the month of Ramadan, describing it as a “wonderful journey” heralding a sacred period in the Islamic faith.

Addressing security concerns, particularly the farmers-herders tensions recorded in other parts of the country, the Governor noted that Rivers State has maintained relative stability through strategic engagement and behind-the-scenes coordination with security agencies.

He however, urged the Islamic leaders to strengthen their internal communication mechanisms to ensure peaceful conduct among their members.

“On your own part, you also need to set up your own internal mechanism to talk to your people so that they can also conduct themselves well in the communities where they live or do their business.

“You’re related to them, you’re close to them, you’re their leader; talk to them so that everyone of us will work at the same pace for the peace of our state,” he said.

He recalled the long standing relationship between the Rivers State Government and the Muslim community and acknowledged their support and prayers for him during his transition into office and after.

The governor assured the delegation that earlier requests presented to the government were under review and will be addressed in line with the state’s capacity.

Earlier in his remarks, Alhaji Uhor expressed gratitude to the Governor for granting audience to the delegation and for his commitment to religious inclusivity.

Uhor presented key requests to the government which included the construction of an ultra-modern central mosque in Port Harcourt, the return of the Muslim section of the Port Harcourt Cemetery to the Council to ease burial challenges, and the allocation of land for the building of a mosque at the Rivers State University.