The Nigerian Army has strongly rejected a viral message circulating across social media platforms claiming that residents of the South-East were instructed to observe a compulsory “sit-at-home” order.
The military described the trending announcement as fake, misleading, and crafted by criminal elements seeking to instill fear and disrupt daily activities in the region.
The statement came after several communities in the South-East began to express worry over renewed threats, especially because previous sit-at-home enforcements by non-state actors had led to violence, road blockades, and economic paralysis.
The Army clarified that no security agency has issued any directive compelling residents of the region to stay indoors for any reason.
The military explained that the message was deliberately created by individuals who profit from panic, misinformation, and the destabilisation of public order.
Security officials urged the public to ignore the viral notice entirely and continue their daily routines without fear.
The Army also warned that those behind the circulation of such content would be traced, identified, and prosecuted.
This warning reflects the government’s renewed push to clamp down on groups and individuals who spread falsehoods that escalate regional tensions.
The Army stressed that intelligence reports have not indicated any planned lockdown of the region by security forces or any authorised institution.
The military reassured residents that security operations in the South-East remain fully active to counter threats posed by armed groups such as unknown gunmen, criminal gangs, and violent separatist elements.
The reassurance was issued to prevent unnecessary panic that could lead to the spontaneous closure of markets, schools, motor parks, and offices, as previously witnessed during similar scares.
Background data show that since mid-2021, the South-East has experienced periodic sit-at-home directives mostly linked to the controversy surrounding the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
These directives, though unofficial and frequently disowned by IPOB itself, were sometimes violently enforced by armed groups who exploited the situation to carry out attacks.
Such incidents caused fear, loss of lives, business stagnation, and economic losses across states including Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi.
The Army explained that criminal networks have now turned to fabricated online statements to recreate panic even when IPOB leadership or other agitators have not announced any such directive.
The military emphasised that social media users must verify the authenticity of broadcast messages before sharing them.
The Army again called for cooperation from traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, and market associations to help dispel false information quickly.
Security agencies encouraged residents to report suspicious activities rather than relying on unverified viral messages that often lack sources or official signatures.
The Army stated that maintaining peace in the South-East requires collective vigilance, responsible communication, and unity against misinformation.
Officials noted that fake news has become a major driver of fear in regions already struggling with complex security challenges.
The Army reaffirmed that it remains committed to restoring full stability and ensuring that people of the South-East live without intimidation from any group.
The military concluded that criminal elements using propaganda to threaten ordinary citizens will be confronted decisively through intelligence-driven operations.
More updates are expected as security agencies intensify efforts to track the origin of the viral message.
