The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned individuals spreading fake news, manipulated videos and misleading information ahead of the 2027 general elections that they will be identified, investigated and prosecuted where they violate the law.

Disu gave the warning on Wednesday through the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bashir Abdullahi, who represented him at a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation on artificial intelligence, misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

He said the Nigeria Police Force was strengthening its cyber intelligence operations and working with technology companies and social media platforms to identify individuals behind coordinated disinformation campaigns.

According to him, the police have established working relationships with major technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, to help trace the origins of suspicious online content, identify those responsible and preserve digital evidence for investigations.

Abdullahi disclosed that the police had already uncovered and raided facilities known as phone farms, where hundreds of mobile phones and automated accounts were allegedly used to manipulate online conversations and create artificial public support for particular narratives.

He also revealed that a suspect had been arrested for allegedly circulating false information about a political candidate from the South-South region to influence voter behaviour and damage the candidate’s reputation.

The police representative further disclosed that the Force had acquired technology capable of detecting AI-generated videos, manipulated photographs and cloned audio recordings.

He cited an incident in Benin City, Edo State, where a suspect was allegedly arrested for creating a deepfake video of President Bola Tinubu making statements he never made.

Abdullahi said the police would investigate cases involving impersonation, cyberstalking, criminal intimidation, threats and incitement where the necessary legal requirements were established.

He, however, assured Nigerians that the campaign against misinformation would not be used to suppress legitimate political opinions or freedom of expression.

He stressed that investigations would be evidence-based and guided by existing laws, adding that the police would not interfere with peaceful public commentary.

The police also disclosed plans to strengthen collaboration with INEC, the National Broadcasting Commission, the National Orientation Agency, civil society organisations and media groups to address the growing threat of election-related disinformation.

Abdullahi urged Nigerians to verify important electoral announcements directly with INEC, particularly information concerning changes to election dates and procedures.

The warning comes amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence could be used to manufacture fake statements, clone politicians’ voices, manipulate videos and spread false election announcements ahead of the 2027 polls.

The police said their objective was to protect the credibility of the electoral process and prevent misinformation from triggering violence, confusion or distrust among voters.