Police uncover ‘phone farms,’ arrest suspect over election misinformation

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and raided phone farms, facilities used to manipulate online conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections, and arrested a suspect accused of spreading false information about a political candidate from the Southern region. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bashir Abdullahi, explained that phone farms are facilities where hundreds of mobile phones and automated accounts are deployed to create the impression that large numbers of people are promoting or discussing particular issues online.

The police discovered these facilities while investigating alleged coordinated attempts by some individuals to manipulate the electoral process. Abdullahi warned that the force would arrest and prosecute individuals found spreading false information capable of undermining the electoral process.

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