The Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State has expressed concern over the activities of impostors posing as journalists, warning that their spread of fake news poses a growing threat to society.
State Director of the DSS, Usman Ibrahim, issued the warning in Minna during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, led by its chairman, Abu Nmodu.
Ibrahim described journalists as “partners in progress” of the security service, noting that responsible reporting plays a crucial role in safeguarding society and advancing national interest.
However, he lamented the increasing dissemination of false information by individuals masquerading as media professionals.
In his response, NUJ chairman Nmodu pledged the union’s readiness to work closely with the DSS in tackling the menace of fake news.
He revealed that the NUJ in Niger had recently set up a verification committee to authenticate the professional status of journalists in the state, aimed at restoring credibility and discipline within the profession.
Nmodu commended the DSS for creating a supportive environment for journalists and assured the agency of the union’s commitment to development-focused journalism.
He stressed that credible reporting remained central to shaping public discourse, even as he decried the rising influence of quacks fueling misinformation.