Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
The Yobe State Police Command has issued a strong rebuttal against a widely circulated online news report claiming that 84 people were killed in a bandit attack in Mafa Village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area. The report, published on September 11, 2025, was condemned by authorities as entirely false and dangerously misleading.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, clarified that no such attack occurred in Mafa Village or any part of Tarmuwa LGA. He described the publication as not only inaccurate but also irresponsible, noting that it risked inciting public fear and undermining the state’s improving security situation.
“The Yobe State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the report is entirely false, fabricated, and capable of causing unnecessary panic,” SP Abdulkarim stated. “There was no bandit attack in Mafa Village, and no lives were lost in such an incident. Yobe State remains peaceful, and security agencies are fully in control.”
The Command reiterated that the relative calm currently experienced across the state is the result of sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local communities. It urged residents to continue their daily activities without fear, while remaining vigilant and cooperative with security agencies.
Echoing the police’s position, the Yobe State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) also condemned the online report. In a separate statement, the NUJ described the story as unprofessional and damaging to the state reputation. The union demanded a retraction and public apology from the media platform responsible, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking and ethical journalism especially in regions recovering from insurgency.
“We condemn in strong terms the reckless dissemination of unverified news that tarnishes the image of Yobe State and creates unnecessary tension,” the NUJ statement read. “We call on the publisher to immediately retract the story and tender an apology to the people of Yobe.”
Security analysts have noted that false reports of this nature can have serious consequences, including sparking displacement, affecting local economies, and eroding public trust in genuine news sources. The police and NUJ have advised citizens to rely only on official channels such as statements from the police, government officials, or accredited media houses for accurate information regarding security matters.
The Yobe State Government has yet to issue an official response but is expected to support the security agencies’ stance amid ongoing efforts to attract investment and promote stability in the region.
Residents of Mafa Village and surrounding communities have also denied the attack, with local leaders describing the report as shocking and completely untrue.
The Police Command concluded its statement by warning against the spread of fake news and reminding the public that disseminating false information is a punishable offense under Nigerian law.