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By Amos Odeh
The Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta on Tuesday has decried the spate of ‘fake news’ fabricated to diminish the operations of the joint force.
Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, spokesman of the JTF told our correspondent that the frequency of the false reports indicates that the masterminds were desperate.
He said that three false media reports which turned out to be fake news have found their ways into the media within the past three weeks adding that the development calls for serious concern and caution on the part of media practitioners.
According to him recent false reports had alleged that troops had laid siege on Gbaramatu community in readiness to invade the settlement when there was no such operation.
It was also alleged that tanker drivers had staged a protest and blocked the East-West Road, which also turned out to be a hoax.
“Operation Delta Safe has noticed with dismay that desperate and disgruntled elements within the society have vowed to foment trouble by spreading unfounded rumours aimed at misinforming the public and creating panic.
“The string of these rumours began with reports that CONOIL facilities/pipeline at Koluama 1 settlement of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area have been attacked and blown up on January 5 2019. The report turned out to be fake.
“Furthermore between January 19 and 2019, (Saturday-Sunday) another fake news started rearing its ugly head again. This time the mischief makers alleged that military gunboats and fighter aircrafts were laying siege to Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area in preparation for an attack.
“This was equally confirmed to be fake.
“Again, it was alleged that the Tanker Drivers’ Union, Bayelsa Chapter planned to block the East West road for unknown reasons on Tuesday January 22 2019 which was also confirmed to be fake news,” Abdullahi stated.
The spokesman noted these false reports are designed to create panic and an atmosphere of insecurity to lives and properties within the Niger Delta region.
“We in ‘Operation Delta Safe’ do not have issues with the environment where we operate. We have maintained peace, law and order as far as our mandate is concerned.
“All the critical Oil and gas infrastructures are secured and production is ongoing. Slanderous utterances and libelous publications would not profit the society. Peace and progress thrives only in conducive atmospheres and climes devoid of falsehood.
“We strongly call on these mischief makers, rumour mills and desperadoes to desist from their nefarious activities.
“We equally enjoin the media to verify the authenticity of news stories before going to the Press. Rushing to break news which would later turn out to be false has a strong tendency to negatively affect the credibility of the media over time.
“Efforts are also ongoing to unmask these disgruntled elements with a view to prosecuting them at the appropriate quarters,” Abdullahi said.
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