By Wasila Yakubu
The Nigeria Police Force has warned that individuals who use artificial intelligence to manufacture and circulate misleading videos, fabricated statements and other deceptive content capable of disrupting the 2027 general elections will face investigation and possible prosecution.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated digital materials could be deployed to deceive voters, damage reputations and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, issued the warning on Wednesday during a virtual discussion on the dangers of AI-driven misinformation ahead of the 2027 polls.
He disclosed that the police had strengthened their digital investigation capabilities following the 2023 general elections, particularly through the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
According to Abdullahi, the centre operates a security monitoring system designed to identify suspicious online activities, verify potentially manipulated content and investigate digital materials that could threaten public safety.
He explained that the police had also established working relationships with major technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, to support investigations into harmful online content.
Through these partnerships, investigators can seek relevant user information, trace the origins of suspicious publications and preserve electronic evidence for possible legal proceedings.
Abdullahi revealed that the police had previously handled cases involving deepfake videos, including a manipulated recording falsely portraying President Bola Tinubu as making statements he never issued.
He said the individual suspected of producing the video was traced, arrested and questioned, during which the suspect reportedly described the exercise as an experiment.
The police representative maintained that security agencies would not allow individuals to exploit artificial intelligence to spread deliberate falsehoods capable of inciting violence, misleading voters or destabilising the country during the election period.
However, he clarified that the proposed enforcement measures would not be used to suppress legitimate political opinions or violate Nigerians' constitutional right to freedom of expression.
He stressed that any investigation or arrest would require credible intelligence and sufficient evidence, adding that citizens would not be targeted merely for expressing views on political issues.
The discussion also highlighted the responsibility of electoral authorities, civil society organisations and the media in preventing the spread of deceptive information before, during and after the elections.
Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, warned that widespread disinformation could erode public confidence in electoral institutions and discourage citizens from participating in the democratic process.
She urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve its public communication by ensuring that voters receive timely, accurate and verifiable information throughout the electoral cycle.
Mbamalu recommended regular briefings and a clearly defined communication schedule to help Nigerians distinguish official announcements from fabricated information circulating online.
She also called for coordinated preparations involving INEC, security agencies, civil society groups and journalists to anticipate possible threats, including fake election notices, forged official statements and AI-generated videos.
According to her, protecting the credibility of the electoral process requires collective action rather than leaving the responsibility to security agencies alone.
Concerns were also raised about the growing use of artificial intelligence in Nigerian newsrooms without adequate guidelines to prevent misleading publications.
Director of Projects at the Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation, Mayowa Tijani, said AI technology was increasingly being deployed for newsroom activities such as transcription, image production and other content-related tasks.
He argued that media organisations needed to establish clear policies explaining how AI tools were used in producing news reports and the measures adopted to ensure accuracy.
Tijani noted that audiences were not necessarily opposed to artificial intelligence in journalism but expected media organisations to be transparent about its application.
He particularly warned against presenting AI-generated images as genuine photographs, explaining that such materials could mislead audiences when shared without their original context.
Although he acknowledged the usefulness of AI in improving newsroom productivity, he insisted that human editors must retain control over editorial decisions, verification and final publication approval.
The founder of FactMatterNG, Hannah Ajekaiye, also emphasised the importance of detecting synthetic media and strengthening verification practices ahead of the elections.
She called for improved public communication, greater digital literacy, transparent media policies and stronger cooperation among institutions responsible for protecting the country's information environment.
Ajekaiye warned that without adequate safeguards, fabricated videos, false political statements and other AI-generated materials could become powerful tools for manipulating voters, damaging reputations and undermining confidence in Nigeria's democracy.
Wasila Yakubu
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