The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over photographs she shared online, which she allegedly linked to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG expressed concern over the dissemination of what it described as false and misleading information capable of heightening tensions in the country.
The group claimed that the images, which showed children with severe injuries and bruises, were later discovered to have originated from the Niger Republic and had been circulating online for several years before being reposted by the senator.
According to the group, although Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later acknowledged that the images were not connected to the Oyo incident and retracted the post, the photographs had already gained significant traction online, attracting thousands of reposts and reactions.
TMSG argued that many Nigerians may have shared the images after seeing them on the social media platforms of the Kogi Central senator, thereby amplifying misinformation surrounding the abduction case.
The group further criticized the senator’s subsequent comments suggesting that the condition of the abducted children could be worse than what was depicted in the photographs, describing such remarks as inappropriate for a serving federal lawmaker.
“We believe that the DSS or the Police should engage the senator on the implications of sharing or rebroadcasting misleading information, especially on sensitive security matters,” the statement noted.
TMSG also commended recent efforts by security agencies to tackle the spread of fake news and disinformation. The group cited recent arrests of individuals accused of spreading false reports of bandit attacks and other misleading security-related claims.
It maintained that inviting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for questioning would reinforce the message that the dissemination of false information, particularly on issues affecting public safety and national security, would not be tolerated regardless of the status of those involved.
The group concluded that such action would serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to circulate unverified or inflammatory content capable of causing panic or undermining public confidence.
