Police debunk viral video alleging someone was set ablaze in Benin

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has debunked a news making the round that some persons were set ablaze in Benin during the weekend.

The commissioner who also warned against spreading of rumours through social media by suspected persons, said the command would prosecute individuals peddling fake news in the state.

This was contained in a statement by the police commissioner, Yaro on Saturday in Benin when reacting to a video of some people being set ablaze in Benin which was circulated on social media.

He further warned that anybody caught or traced to the circulation of the fake video with the intention to cause tension and crisis in the state would be prosecuted.

The statement reads, “The command wishes to state that the incident in the video happened in 2020, along Ekehuan Road, when unknown youths accosted a vehicle with all-male occupants, conducted search only by themselves and recovered some arms and ammunition and thereafter set the vehicle, suspects, arms and ammunition ablaze.”

The commissioner advised the people of the state to remain law-abiding and refuse to join criminal elements in recycling the viral video that is targeted at instilling fear, panic and tension in the minds of the people to believe that there is security instability or breakdown in the state.

“To this end, anyone caught or traced to the viral video will be arrested and prosecuted in court to serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.

He appealed to citizens of the state not to panic but go about their normal business as there is no cause for alarm, assuring that the state under his watch is safe and will remain safe.

However, another report is surfacing that the Igbo man who was allegedly stabbed dead by Hausa resident survived the attack after being rushed to the hospital.