RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST FAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rivers State Government has issued a warning to the public about fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. These fake announcements aim to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State. Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Dede Sampson Friday, in a statement, said the government has become aware of malicious fabrications designed to destabilize the state. “The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is FAKE and did not originate from any official source,” the statement read. Sir Dede Sampson Friday urged the public to disregard the misinformation. One such fake announcement claims that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Mrs. Ngozi Nma Odu, were summoned to a meeting at the Government House on Friday, April 18, 2025. Sir Dede Sampson Friday emphasized that official communications from the Rivers State Government are disseminated only through verified channels. These channels include the Official Rivers State Government Website, authorized government social media handles, press releases issued by the Office of the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government, and approved traditional media outlets. The public is advised to verify information before sharing and rely solely on official government sources for accurate updates. For further clarification, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government can be contacted directly via +234 913 574 8442. Sir Dede Sampson Friday reiterated that the public should disregard unverified sources. This warning comes amid a backdrop of misinformation, similar to a recent case where the Rivers State Attorney-General debunked fake news about lawmakers’ PDP membership.