The Minister of Information and Culture, ALjhaji Lai Mohammed while speaking in Abuja at the seventh edition of the National Security Seminar described the phenomenon of fake news as one of the greatest threats to the nation.
The Minister while addressing participants of the seminar listed some of the fake news in circulation which he described as unfounded.
Speaking at the event, Lai Mohammed said: “Regrettably, fake news is circulated worldwide through the means of the social media and it travels faster.
“Only recently, we have to refute the fake news that Nigeria today is the most difficult place for Christians to live.
“There was also the fake report that the armed forces of Nigeria armed the Fulani herdsmen and instigate them to carry out attacks.
“All these news are unfounded, fake and has the capacity to set one religion or group against the other.”
The Information minister further made reference to the fake news of the alleged killing of some pro-Biafran supporters.
Lai Mohammed during his speech at the event also recalled the most recent fake news which held that the All Progressive Congress, APC, National leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bisi Akande had not visited the president at the Abuja House in London adding that the President’s call with the United States president, Donald J. Trump had also provided for an avenue for fake news which held that the call never happened.
Lai Mohammed added that it took the intervention of the United states government to set the records straight as regards the fake news