*Killing of farmers in Borno is an act of cowardice and savagery by a group of deranged terrorists
WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Government of Nigeria has blamed fake news and disinformation, which spread like wildfire on social media for the violence that trailed the EndSARS protests in many parts of the country in October, saying government was more than responsive in handling EndSARS’ demands.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while addressing publishers of online media in Lagos on Tuesday said, “Any fair analyst will realize that the Federal Government was not only responsive but was also very responsible in its handling of the demands of the EndSARS protesters. We met the five demands. Despite that, the protest continued and the demands kept expanding, until the protest was hijacked, leading to unprecedented violence characterized by killings, maiming, arson, looting etc.
“We have no scintilla of doubt that the violence that resulted from the hijack of the EndSARS protest was catalyzed by fake news and disinformation, which spread like wildfire on social media.”
He said this did not come as a surprise, considering the fact that since 2017, the government had been raising the alarm about the dangers of social media abuse.
“Remember, gentlemen, that in 2017, we dedicated that year’s National Council on Information to the issue of fake news, hate speech and disinformation,” he said.
He listed the EndSARS protesters five demands which government was already acting on before violence erupted as; Immediate release of all arrested protesters; Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days; In line with the new Police Act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded
SARS officers before they can be redeployed; Increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.
He also listed the casualties of EndSARS protest to include six soldiers, 37 policemen killed;196 policemen injured; 164 police vehicles destroyed; 134 police stations burnt down; 57 civilians dead, 269 private/corporate facilities burnt/looted/vandalized; 243 government facilities burnt/vandalized; 81 government warehouses looted.
Specifically, he said social media was used to guide arsonists and looters to certain properties, both public and private, during the EndSARS violence with pictures of celebrities and even non-Nigerians who were supposedly killed at Lekki Toll Gate quickly made the rounds on social media, only for those celebrities to say they are alive, and for discerning Nigerians to disprove many of those listed as killed at Lekki Toll Gate.
He said, “We remain concerned about the abuse of social media, and we continue to look for ways to ensure a responsible use of the platform.
“Once again, we solicit your support in our effort to fight this menace. As Online Publishers, who rely heavily on the new media, you will also be doing yourselves a great favour by helping to weed out those who are abusing it. If things get to a level where people can no longer trust anything published online, no one stands to lose more than media practitioners. That’s why we continue to seek your support on this issue.”
However, he said, checking the abuse of social media would not synonymous with stifling press freedom or free speech, saying, “fake news and disinformation are not the same as free speech. For the umpteenth time, I want to say that this government has no plan to stifle free speech, neither do we have any intention of shutting down the internet as some have claimed. Social media has come to stay, and those who use it responsibly have nothing to fear. But those who abuse it are right to be worried.”
On the role of the security agencies during and after the EndSARS protest, he said the Federal Government commended them for their professionalism and their restraint, which helped to save many lives.
“Even in the face of attacks and provocation, the security agencies, in particular the police and soldiers, acted within their rules of engagement,” he said.
He claimed that the reporting of the EndSARS protest has been skewed against the security agencies.
“While most reports have become fixated on the so-called massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, only a few have highlighted the attacks and killing of security agents, as well as the destruction of public and private property. I urge you to help in correcting this unfair reporting,” he said.
On the way forward, he said in accordance with the directive of Mr. President, Ministers had since gone back to their respective states to meet with stakeholders in the wake of the protest and its aftermath.
“ A Federal Government delegation has also visited the various zones to consult with stakeholders. There is no doubt that the outcome of these.”
On the killing of farmers in Borno, he described it as an act of cowardice and savagery by a group of deranged terrorists, saying it did not reflect the progress being made by the military against Boko Haram.
“Going after soft targets is an act of weakness and desperation by the terrorists, who have suffered huge setbacks in the hands of the military in recent times. The modus operandi of a losing terror group is to go after soft targets in order to stay relevant.
“The truth is that Boko Haram is badly degraded and can only carry out cowardly attacks like the one against defenseless farmers over the weekend. We urge Nigerians not to lose hope in the capability and commitment of the military to rout the terrorists. Rather, we should continue to support the men and women in uniform, who are fighting the terrorists with grit and determination.”
