Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly spreading false information online claiming that Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu had divorced his wife.
The arrests followed the circulation of a viral report on social media which falsely alleged that the chairman of the United Bank for Africa had ended his marriage after a supposed DNA test involving his children. Authorities say the claims are completely untrue and were deliberately fabricated.
Investigations revealed that the misleading content was widely shared across platforms, causing confusion and drawing public attention before it was debunked. The police subsequently tracked down and arrested three suspects linked to the origin and spread of the false story.
Officials emphasized that the report had no basis in fact and warned against the dangers of spreading unverified information, especially about public figures. They noted that such actions can damage reputations, mislead the public, and create unnecessary panic.
Authorities also reiterated their commitment to tackling misinformation and cautioned citizens to verify sensitive or sensational claims before sharing them online.
The case indicates growing concerns over the impact of fake news in Nigeria’s digital space, with law enforcement agencies increasingly taking action against those responsible for spreading false narratives.
