Sahara Reporters had done it again, embarking on a path of sensationalism and misinformation. This time, they falsely implicated a supposed Department of State Services (DSS) officer in a criminal case in Ebonyi State. The article claimed that Mr. Anyim Chukwudi Christian, allegedly serving in the Cross River State Command of the DSS, was involved in an attempted murder and had since "jumped bail" after a violent assault.
However, the entire storyline rested on shaky ground, representing a lack of facts, and was built on unverified claims from unnamed sources. The DSS hadn't confirmed Chukwudi's employment status, and the Police had even reached out to the DSS headquarters to verify the suspect's identity—a verification that hadn't been successful.
Anyone could claim to be a DSS officer, and Sahara Reporters would eagerly spread the unethical narrative without waiting for official confirmation. The alleged brag that "DSS is superior to the Nigerian Police" sounded self-indulgent and suspiciously convenient, like a fictitious story to provoke public outrage.
The supposed "escape from custody" sounded more like folklore than a credible law enforcement report. This was another example of Sahara Reporters prioritizing sensational storytelling over responsible journalism. Instead of throwing around serious allegations and misleading the public for attention, they should have waited for verified information from the DSS or the police.
Until there's an official confirmation from the DSS regarding Mr. Chukwudi's employment status, the story should be treated as speculative, inflammatory, and misleading. Recall, last week, Saharareporter’s boss in a public glare also agitated that the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, is occupying an illegal office, despite the National Assembly rectifying the IGP’s tenure of office.
The public needed to hold media outlets like Sahara Reporters accountable for spreading half-truths and uncorroborated claims that could incite unnecessary tension and damage reputations unjustly. Misinformation needs consequences to prevent media houses like Sahara Reporters from continuing their fallacious misrepresentation and attacks on principled organizations in Nigeria.