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EU Warns of Rising Foreign Information Manipulation

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EU Warns of Rising Foreign Information Manipulation

By: Michael Mike

The European Union has warned that the surge in foreign information manipulation and disinformation poses a growing threat to Nigeria’s democracy, media integrity, and public trust.

The warning was issued on Monday in Abuja during a one-day capacity-building workshop on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) organised for members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN).

Delivering the opening remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot said false or misleading information—whether generated for political influence, commercial benefit, or malicious deception—has become one of the most destabilising forces shaping public discourse globally.

He added that the consequences are particularly severe when disinformation is deliberately designed to deceive and then disseminated to unsuspecting citizens.

He noted that the media remains a pillar of democratic society, and any erosion of its credibility directly threatens governance and social stability. “When people lose faith in such a critical institution, democracy is at risk, and society itself becomes gravely endangered,” he warned.

Mignot stressed that journalists sit at a high-risk intersection within the information chain because they decide what reaches the public. For this reason, he said, they often become primary targets of manipulation campaigns. Once the media is misled, he explained, the entire society becomes vulnerable to deception.

He highlighted the dual role that both journalists and diplomats share in preserving credibility. “If we want to remain reliable, we must ensure that the information we disseminate is accurate,” he added.

The envoy while stating that emerging technologies have made communication faster and more accessible, however warned that they have also created sophisticated tools capable of falsifying or recreating realities with ease.

He noted that deepfakes, doctored videos, manipulated images, and AI-generated content now circulate with a level of authenticity that makes them difficult to distinguish from legitimate information.

He referenced a 2024 report by the European Parliament showing that 85% of people globally are worried about disinformation’s impact on their societies, while 87% believe it has already distorted political life.

Mignot noted that Nigeria faces similar challenges. Citing a 2020 Centre for Democracy and Development report, he said disinformation in the country has grown to unprecedented levels, aggravating existing ethnic and religious divisions. With information now spreading rapidly across text, audio, memes, images, and videos, the nation’s traditional “rumour mill” has gained powerful new tools.

The EU outlined a range of interventions designed to strengthen media literacy and counter disinformation in Nigeria and across West Africa. These include monitoring disinformation campaigns, especially those targeting elections, and enhancing media literacy through nationwide training programmes.

Earlier this year, the EU facilitated fact-checking training for members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos and continued to support Nigeria’s leading fact-checking platforms, including Dubawa. It has also sponsored Nigerian journalists to attend advanced trainings in Europe, including missions to conflict areas such as Ukraine.

Mignot reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to partnering with civil society organisations, media institutions, and youth groups to reinforce public access to credible information.

Mignot revealed that revealed that members of DICAN were chosen for the workshop, as they play a crucial role in interpreting foreign information for domestic audiences. Their reporting on international affairs, including EU activities in Nigeria, places them at a critical junction between global narratives and national understanding.

He acknowledged DICAN’s demonstrated interest in combating disinformation, recalling the association’s earlier engagement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July.

The EU cautioned that organised disinformation campaigns in West Africa—including those that glamorise anti-democratic actors—continue to erode peace and stability in the region. Nigeria, he said, must remain vigilant against efforts to distort public perception or undermine the credibility of democratic leadership.

The workshop aims to equip journalists with tools to recognise and counter foreign information manipulation, strengthen newsroom verification processes, and improve the resilience of the Nigerian media space.

EU Warns of Rising Foreign Information Manipulation

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.

Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.

Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.

The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.

The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.

Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.

The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.

“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.

However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.

“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”

In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.

“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.

The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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