Residents rush Jigawa LG secretariat over fake COVID-19 cash grant rumour
Crowds gathered at the Gumel Local Government Secretariat after a false rumour spread online about a N75,000 grant for COVID-19 vaccination card holders. Many residents abandoned their daily activities to queue for the non-existent payment, believing messages circulated on social media and WhatsApp. Malam Idris Sani and Maryamu Salisu were among those who arrived with their vaccination cards, only to be told the news was fake. Local officials and health authorities have since debunked the claim and urged residents to verify information before acting.
What we know
- A viral rumour claimed that residents with COVID-19 vaccination cards would receive N75,000 at the Gumel Local Government Secretariat.
- Many people rushed to the council secretariat and other public places, abandoning their daily routines.
- Hussaini Umar Gumel, Special Adviser to the Chairman on New Media, stated that no government agency announced such a grant.
- Officials from the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the State Ministry of Health confirmed the rumour was false.
- Authorities are now sensitising residents to stop the spread of misinformation and urging the public to verify news from official sources.
