2027: Police vow crackdown on AI-generated disinformation

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning, asserting that it will not permit the dissemination of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation, deepfakes, or manipulated media that could endanger national security and erode trust in the 2027 general elections. This statement was made during a webinar organized by the PUNCH Media Foundation, which focused on the growing threat of artificial intelligence and misinformation in Nigeria's electoral process.

The Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, highlighted the establishment of the National Cybercrime Centre within the police force, which has been tasked with monitoring and verifying suspicious information, particularly content suspected of being generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.

Abdullahi emphasized that the police have formed partnerships with major technology companies like Meta and TikTok to aid investigations into suspicious online activities. The police have recorded cases involving manipulated videos and deepfake content, including a video allegedly showing President Bola Tinubu delivering statements he did not make.

The suspect in this case was traced, arrested, and questioned, with the suspect admitting to creating the content as an experiment. Abdullahi assured that while the police would not infringe on citizens' constitutional right to freedom of expression, investigations and arrests would be based on credible information and sufficient evidence.

The gathering also saw civil society organizations and media practitioners express concerns about the impact of AI-generated content on public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. They recommended that INEC strengthen its communication strategy by providing accurate and timely information to citizens, conducting regular public briefings, and maintaining clear communication schedules.

Media practitioners also warned that the increasing use of AI tools in newsrooms without clear editorial guidelines could further diminish public trust in journalism, emphasizing the need for transparency in AI usage while maintaining editorial control over the final content.