Police, NGOs, youths unite at Kano summit to tackle hate speech, fake news ahead of 2027 elections
Kola Oyelere Kano
The Kano State Police Command, in collaboration with civil society groups and government officials, has held a youth-focused summit aimed at combating hate speech and fake news, with stakeholders warning of rising risks as the 2027 general elections approach.
Speaking at the Police Youth Peace Summit in Kano, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the event was convened in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to develop practical strategies for addressing social bias, misinformation and divisive narratives.
Bakori expressed concern that hate speech and fake news circulating across media platforms pose a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development.
“The media space is currently awash with hate speech and fake news, which can ignite conflict, fuel violence and disrupt social harmony,” he said.
“We will not allow a few individuals to destabilize the peace of our state. Whoever promotes hate speech or publishes fake news will face the full weight of the law.”
He called on journalists, social media users, influencers and community leaders to work with the police to promote responsible communication and peaceful engagement, stressing that security agencies are committed to maintaining law and order across the state.
Chairman of the Aminu Magashi Garba (AMG) Foundation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, said the summit was timely as political activities are expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
He noted that pre-election periods are often marked by tension, misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, with young people frequently targeted or used to spread false narratives.
He announced that the foundation would collaborate with the police and youth-focused organizations over the next 12 months to organize trainings and consultations for political party spokespersons, youth leaders and civil society actors on responsible information sharing and fact-based messaging.
According to him, the foundation also plans to identify and train youth peer educators and champions against fake news and hate speech, and to support improved communication and intelligence-sharing structures with security agencies.
“We are committed to supporting dialogue, training and coordination that will help safeguard Kano State,” he said, adding that partnerships would be expanded to include more organizations and stakeholders.
Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Community Policing, Ambassador Maimuna Umar, highlighted the importance of community-based security partnerships, praising Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for supporting security agencies and community policing initiatives.
She said effective security requires collaboration among security agencies, communities, youth and women groups, and described the summit as a valuable platform for addressing harmful online narratives and promoting responsible social media use.
Multiple speakers at the summit emphasized the role of radio, television and digital platforms in shaping public opinion, urging media professionals to uphold ethical standards, verify information and avoid sensational reporting that could heighten tensions.
Participants were encouraged to verify information before sharing it, reject divisive language and use media platforms to promote unity, dialogue and peaceful coexistence across Kano State.