Conference of Civil Societies (CCSs) have raised the alarm over a threat to Nigeria’s national security following what it said is a recent surge in peddling of fake news and blackmails against government officials.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, chairperson of CCSs and coordinator, Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMICO), Adams Otakwu, specifically said the resurgent trend has been targeted at heads of ministries, departments and agencies, military chiefs, heads of security, and intelligence agencies, and renowned private citizens.
Although he declined to give specific instances, Otakwu said, “these fake news and blackmails range from allegations of massive corruption, money laundering, gross abuse of office, running of private companies, failure to declare assets contrary to Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and alleged violation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for Officers 2017.
“Earlier this year (precisely on January 31st), we held a crucial National Round Table with government ministries, departments and agencies, armed forces, security and intelligence agencies, civil societies, and the media at the National Human Rights Commission Abuja, during which we launched the National Fake Tracker to address this grave concern, and the success has had far reaching impact.
“However, there is a resurgence of the trend on targeted at Heads of MDAs of Government, Military Chiefs, Heads of Security, and Intelligence Agencies, and Renowned Private Citizens.
“The blackmailers often collude with internal elements who volunteer official secrets in a bid to unseat their principals.”
Giving insight on the extent blackmailers have gone to carry out their act, he said, they negotiate for lucrative contracts, job placements, or appointments, noting that victims are further harassed through petitions filed at the National Assembly.
“This heinous and dangerous trend poses a significant threat to national security and development.”
Calling on the National Assembly to pay attention to these developments, he said “we urge the National Assembly to be aware of such misleading and malicious petitions and to act in the best interest of national security and development, as fake news and blackmails have no place in our constitution.”
CCSs lambasted the irresponsible and dubious groups that acted in violation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
“We will activate actions for the intelligence community to immediately investigate these elements, their registration status, board of trustees, and activities.
“Furthermore, we shall not hesitate to name and shame those internal elements with whom they collude in various MDAs, Armed Forces, Security Agencies, and other institutions of Government.
“Civil Societies the world over represent how public life should function within and between societies through advocacies and not to be involved in fake news, blackmail, and other reckless activities that tarnish the image of genuine and progressive civil societies.”
CCSs however said it will hold its 2nd national round table on fake news and blackmail of government and non-governmental office holders in Abuja this month.