The office of the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has officially disowned a viral social media message falsely claiming that the Deputy Governor is distributing financial grants to members of the public.
In a firm statement released on Tuesday by Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, the office labeled the grant offer as a fraudulent scheme aimed at misleading unsuspecting Nigerians.
“The message circulating on social media claiming that His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, is offering financial grants is completely false,” the statement emphasized.
According to Shuaibu, neither the Deputy Governor, his aides, nor any family members have authorized or endorsed any such grant disbursement. The statement urged the public to disregard the claim and report individuals propagating the fake news to the relevant law enforcement agencies immediately.
“This act constitutes cybercrime, and anyone found to be involved will face the full weight of the law,” the statement warned, highlighting the legal consequences of spreading false information online.
The Deputy Governor’s office further appealed to the public to remain vigilant and advised citizens to depend solely on official communication channels for authentic updates and announcements.
“We call on the public to be cautious and avoid falling victim to such criminal tricks. Official information from the Deputy Governor’s office will always be communicated through verified platforms,” the statement added.
This incident comes amid a surge in social media scams and fraudulent schemes targeting Nigerians. In recent years, the proliferation of fake grant offers, lottery scams, and phishing attempts has become a significant concern for authorities and the public alike.
Experts warn that scammers exploit popular social media platforms to spread misinformation and dupe vulnerable citizens out of their money or personal data. The Kano Deputy Governor’s timely disclaimer serves as a reminder for Nigerians to exercise caution and verify information before taking any action.
What You Should Do If You Encounter Such Schemes
Authorities advise anyone who comes across suspicious offers or messages claiming to distribute money or prizes from government officials to:
Avoid sharing personal or financial information online.
Verify the legitimacy of such claims through official government websites or trusted news sources.
Report the scam to cybercrime units or the Nigerian police for prompt investigation.
The Deputy Governor’s office reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, stressing that all legitimate social welfare programs and financial support initiatives are communicated clearly through official channels.
“We are dedicated to protecting the public from fraudulent activities and ensuring that accurate information reaches our people,” the statement concluded.