The Senate has directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and identify those responsible for circulating false reports on social media alleging the death of Senate President Godswill Akpabio in a London hospital.
The matter was raised during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Titus Zam, who represents Benue North-West Senatorial District. Zam described the reports as dangerous, misleading, and damaging to the country’s leadership and democratic institutions.
“I am raising this motion due to the social media reportage claiming that the Senate President died in a London hospital,” Zam said. “This is a very serious issue. He is the number three citizen of Nigeria, and false reports about his person and office must not be treated lightly.”
The lawmaker warned that the spread of fake death reports targeting national leaders was becoming a disturbing trend. He recalled that similar false claims were recently made about former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
“It is not only the Senate President that has been subjected to this kind of negative reporting,” Zam noted. “Only a few days ago, similar reports falsely declared General Yakubu Gowon dead. This reflects poorly on our country and its leadership.”
Zam called for urgent and decisive action against those behind the misinformation, arguing that firm sanctions would serve as a deterrent to the deliberate spread of harmful falsehoods.
“There is an urgent need not just to investigate, but to punish the promoters of such negative and dangerous news about our leaders,” he said. “Once sanctions are applied, it will discourage others from engaging in such infamous acts against our democracy.”
He further stressed that those responsible could be tracked through their digital footprints, noting that anonymity on social media does not guarantee impunity.
In his response, Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the growing menace of misinformation, noting that false reports had affected public figures across various sectors, not just politicians.
Consequently, he directed the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to trace the originators and promoters of the false reports and take appropriate action in line with the law.
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