ALGON raises concern over fake news fuelling insecurity in Borno

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Borno State chapter, has raised concerns over the spread of fake news and unverified information on social media, saying it is fuelling insecurity in the state.

Chairman of Magumeri Local Government Area and ALGON representative, Dr Ali Yaumi, made the claim in Maiduguri at a press briefing and media stakeholders’ technical alignment meeting organised by the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Borno State caucus, in collaboration with ALGON.

He said local governments would work with the Nigerian Youth Parliament and community leaders to promote information verification and responsible information sharing at the grassroots.

According to him, local governments are at the centre of implementing development policies and programmes and therefore have a crucial role to play in sensitising communities about the dangers of fake news and unverified information.

Yaumi noted that the collaboration will support the implementation of the proposed Borno State Media Action Plan 2027–2031 while promoting greater community participation in verifying information before dissemination.

He said the proliferation of unverified posts on social media platforms had enabled people to publish information without first establishing its accuracy.

He explained that closer collaboration among local governments, the youth parliament and community leaders, alongside giving communities ownership of the process, would help ensure that information is verified before it is disseminated.

Yaumi said the approach will help reduce confusion capable of fuelling insecurity, and urged stakeholders to work together to promote responsible information sharing.

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He also said the partnership with the youth parliament was aimed at promoting more inclusive governance by bringing young people closer to government and ensuring that government policies and programmes take their concerns into account.

Earlier, Akan Edet, a member of the Nigerian youth parliament representing Akwa Ibom, said the proposed Media Action Plan would provide a practical framework for addressing misinformation, rumours and harmful narratives affecting development, public trust and community cohesion.

He urged the public to verify information before sharing it, stressing the need to establish its accuracy before dissemination.

Also, a member representing Borno North in the Nigerian parliament, Fatima Bukar, said the body had been engaging government institutions and promoting youth participation in leadership and decision-making through parliamentary sittings and motions on constituency issues.

She added that the parliament, which has 109 members, was working to sustain its activities beyond its inauguration through regular sittings and policy engagements.