MCSR: Safety Watchdog Debunks False Narrative of Crisis in Abia, Urges Public Peace and Vigilance

The Media Centre for Safety Reporting (MCSR) has issued a critical public safety advisory, alerting citizens to a coordinated wave of false security reports and manipulated media designed to create undue panic and disrupt the peace in Abia State.

In a statement delivered by its President and Lead Safety Reporter, John Enyinnaya Thompson; the independent safety watchdog revealed it has documented and analyzed over a dozen instances of fabricated security alerts and digitally altered videos being circulated on social media handles and digital platforms.

“Our analysis indicates a clear and deliberate pattern aimed at undermining public confidence in the state’s security and safety framework,” Thompson, a certified safety reporter/member and Abia state coordinator, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), declared in a statement made available to journalists in Umuahia on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

He further stated that “With the Yuletide season approaching, a period of increased social and economic activity, it is imperative to counter these false narratives swiftly to ensure public safety and peace of mind are not compromised.”

Media Centre for Safety Reporting (MCSR), registered in 2018, is an independent, civil society organization dedicated to advancing public safety through accurate reporting, analysis of security trends, and combating disinformation that threatens civic peace and security, as well as advancing the HSE rights of media practitioners and citizens.

Thompson, a disaster risk management expert and distinguished professional fellow of Emergency, Crisis and Risk Management Institute(ECRMI), emphasized that the campaign’s ultimate victim is the citizenry’s sense of security and the state’s stability.

“Having monitored media trends and manipulation patterns both in Nigeria and globally, we can state unequivocally that this bears the hallmark of a coordinated campaign of mischief,” he said.

“The objective is clear: to create a false narrative of crisis in one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states. What we are witnessing is a deliberate attempt by shadowy, unscrupulous elements to sabotage the prevailing peace and happiness in Abia because they are irked by its stability and evident calibrated system of governance in safety and security of the state.” Thompson, disclosed.

While exposing the disinformation network, the MCSR strongly reassured all residents and prospective visitors that Abia State remains safe and secure for all lawful activities. The statement urged the public to embrace a posture of “calm vigilance,” going about their business without fear while being critical consumers of verified information.

To empower the public, the MCSR provided five essential guidelines to distinguish truth from fake news:

1. Scrutinize Official Communication:
The public is advised to rely solely on official statements from verified government and security agency channels. Any sensational or unverified claim, especially those attributed to high-ranking officials, should be treated with extreme skepticism until confirmed through these official sources.

2. Verify Before Amplifying:
The public is urged to break the chain of misinformation by refusing to share unverified news, regardless of the platform it appears on. Cross-checking with established news organizations and official social media handles is crucial.

3. Report, Don’t Retransmit: Citizens who encounter potentially false security information are encouraged to report it directly to security agencies or trusted media watchdog organizations like the MCSR, rather than spreading it further.

4. Understand the Legal Consequences: The statement reminded the public that disseminating false information capable of inciting fear or breaking down public order is a criminal offense. Security agencies are actively monitoring the digital space, and perpetrators will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

5. Commit to Shared Security: Safety, the MCSR concluded, is a shared responsibility. “A secure Abia, especially during the festive season and beyond, is a collective benefit. We urge every citizen to become an ambassador of peace and accuracy, safeguarding our community against those who would see it destabilized.”

The Centre, which coordinated the establishment of National Safety Centre Data Portal in 2021, commended the ongoing efforts of Abia State Government led by Gov. Alex C. Otti and all security agencies operating in the state and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation and providing the public with factual, safety-focused reporting.

E-signed

John E. Thompson, ANIPR, MISPN, FECRMI, FICAS.
President and Lead Safety Reporter,
Media Centre for Safety Reporting (MCSR).