The katsina state police command has warned against propagation of fake news , insisting such has negative consequences on people.
The Command also cautioned that it would not hesitate to deal with those caught spreading fake news.
The Command’s spokesman, DSP Abubakar Aliyu made the appeal in katsina at a press conference on behalf of the Police Commissioner, Bello Shehu while reeling out its achievements in October.
According to him, the Command made several achievements in October in its efforts at curbing crimes in the state.
He assured that the Command would continue to do more , seeking for support and cooperation of residents of the state.
His words” In our efforts to ensure a safer Katsina State, we have recorded significant successes in our crime-fighting endeavors as one hundred and twenty (120) cases were reported. Here are 5 major crimes we’ve tackled, along with the number of suspects arrested:
- Armed Robbery: 18 suspects arrested,
- Culpable Homicide/Murder: 28 suspects arrested,
- Attempt To Commit Homicide: 5 suspects,
- Rape/Unnatural offence: 20 suspects arrested,
- Being In Possession of Illicit Drugs: 28 suspects arrested.”
The Command’s spokesman explained that out of cases reported, ninety-seven (97) have been charged to court, while twenty-two (22) cases are currently under investigation.
He added that fourty-seven (47) kidnapped victims and thirty-nine (39) human trafficking victims were successfully rescued and reunited with their families within the period under review.
Aliyu further revealed that several exhibits were recovered in the course of operations, including :
1 AK-47rifle;
1 locally made gun;
183 rounds of live ammunition;
3 motor vehicles (1 golf, 1 Toyota Corolla, and 1 Toyota RAV4);
1 tricycle;
4 motorcycles;
201 suspected rustled animals comprising 76 cows, 27 sheep, etc;
131 illicit drugs (82 bottles of fentanyl injection, 56 sachets of Exol, 61 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, 13 pregabalin tabs, and 1 sachet of tramadol);
100 meters of vandalized high tension cables, among others.
Aliyu assured “Despite these modest achievements, more work needs to be done. We pledge to redouble our efforts and commit to building on these successes to make Katsina State an even safer place for all. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and serve the community, and we call on all stakeholders to join us in this fight against crime.”
The Command’s spokesman expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police ” for his unwavering support and guidance, which has been instrumental in our successes.”
He equally showed the Command’s gratitude “to the State Government for its continued support and cooperation, which has helped us to effectively combat crime and ensure a safer environment for all residents of Katsina State.”
He added “We appreciate the members of the public for their support and cooperation in our efforts to fight crime in Katsina State. We solicit your continued support and encourage you to keep providing us with information that will help us prevent and solve crimes.
“However, we cannot stress enough the dangers of propagating fake news and misinformation. Fake news can cause harm to individuals, communities, and society at large. It can:
spread fear and panic;
damage reputations and livelihoods;
create social unrest and violence;
undermine trust in institutions;
hinder efforts to address real problems.
“We urge everyone to be responsible and verify information before sharing it. Let’s build a culture of truth and accuracy. Do not be a part of spreading false information. Report any suspicious or fake news to the authorities.
“We will not hesitate to take action against those spreading fake news. Let’s work together to create a safer and more informed society.”