Nigeria: Enugu police dismiss viral video claiming herdsmen killings at Awgu junction as false
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Enugu State Police Command has debunked a viral video circulating on social media that alleged persons were killed by herdsmen at Awgu Junction along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway, describing the claim as false and intended to incite fear.
In a statement released on Monday, June 1, 2026, via its official Facebook page, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said investigations showed the incident depicted in the video did not occur as portrayed and there was no credible evidence to support it.
“The Command unequivocally refutes the claim and states that the narrative being circulated is false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear, panic, and tension among residents,” the statement read.
The Enugu Police condemned the deliberate spread of unverified and inflammatory content, noting that such actions threaten public peace, security, and communal harmony.
Members of the public have been urged to disregard the video and avoid sharing or amplifying it. The Command also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or disseminating the misinformation to desist immediately, adding that it would not hesitate to invoke relevant legal provisions against anyone found culpable.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, Commissioner of Police CP Mamman Bitrus advised residents to verify information through credible and official channels before sharing. He also encouraged citizens to promptly report any genuine security concerns to the police or other relevant security agencies.
The police did not specify the actual content of the viral video or its origin, but stressed that no attack or killings by herdsmen were recorded at Awgu Junction as claimed.
The clarification comes amid growing concern over the spread of fake news and inciting videos on social media, which authorities say often exacerbate tension in communities.
