By Ola Williams
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to remain calm following the arrest of a man accused of spreading a false terrorist alert video online.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, announced the arrest on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, describing the viral footage as “entirely fabricated and misleading.”
According to him, the video began circulating on social media on April 9, 2026, showing gunshot sounds and alarming scenes allegedly depicting an attack in Abuja. However, investigations confirmed that the footage had no connection to any real incident in the FCT.
“The Command immediately launched a thorough investigation, including digital forensic analysis, which led to the arrest of the originator of the content,” Sanusi said.
Police identified the suspect as Pam Joshua, a 24-year-old resident of Abuja. He is alleged to have created the video using clips and gunshot effects sourced from TikTok, presenting it as a real-time terrorist attack to provoke fear among residents.
Condemning the act, Sanusi warned that spreading false information poses a serious threat to public peace and security.
“The FCT is secure. We urge residents to disregard such false narratives and rely only on verified sources of information,” he added.
The police commissioner also cautioned social media users and content creators against sharing unverified or misleading content, stressing that violators would face legal consequences.
He further revealed that the suspect will be charged in court once investigations are concluded, while urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities through official channels.
