The Borno State Governor’s Media Unit has denied reports circulating on some online platforms alleging that one of Governor Babagana Zulum’s sons has been arrested and sentenced to prison for the murder of Indian citizens.
In a statement signed by Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, and made available on Wednesday night, the Media Unit said “the attention of the Borno State Governor’s Media Unit has been drawn to rumors circulating that the son of the Borno State Governor has been arrested for the alleged murder of some Indian citizens.
“This misinformation was published on an online blog, Nairaland, under the title ‘Son of Borno State Governor Murders Someone In India—Politics.’
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The blog falsely claimed that the Governor traveled to India, attempting to use diplomatic status to resolve the matter.
“It is on record that Governor Babagana Zulum was on a one-month vacation in Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj and later traveled to Egypt to attend the annual ASWAN forum conference in Cairo.
“The Media Unit would like to clarify and set the record straight that Nairaland and other online blogs have mischievously spread defamatory content without any speck of truth.
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“We hereby warn Nairaland and all those who have spread this false information to remove the misinformation from their websites and platforms within the next 24 hours and offer an unreserved apology to Governor Zulum, his son, and the entire family, or risk legal action. The Governor shall not hesitate to take legal action against any media outlet that continues to publicize this defamatory information.”
“We would like to inform the public that none of Governor Zulum’s sons was either arrested or charged with any crime, or involved in any unlawful activities anywhere.
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“We urge the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information, particularly from unverified sources and blogs instead of credible media outlets.
“We enjoin all media organizations to engage in responsible journalism of truth and factual verification while recognizing the potential harm and psychological trauma the spread of false information might have caused to the Governor’s family.”
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The statement concluded by addressing the unverified rumors on social media that the Governor’s first son, who recently got married, had divorced his wife and committed murder abroad.
Our correspondent noted that these rumors have caused significant distress but reiterated the government’s firm stance that these allegations are entirely baseless.
