The Department of State Services (DSS) has refuted widespread social media reports alleging that it arrested Evangelist Ukpo Daniel for raising a false alarm about a supposed Fulani herdsmen attack during a crusade in Agboda Village, Nasarawa State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the DSS described the viral Facebook post as false and misleading, adding that it appeared crafted to “cast the Service in bad light and steer public tension.” The statement was signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the agency, Evangelist Ukpo Daniel was neither invited nor arrested. The Service added that when contacted, his spouse, Elizabeth who made the initial social media post—confirmed she was with him at the Nasarawa State Police Headquarters in Lafia, not in DSS custody.
The DSS warned that such misinformation could escalate tension or hinder security operations.
“The Service views such misrepresentations in ways that could inflame tension or disrupt ongoing operations,” the statement read. It urged Nigerians to rely only on verified sources for security-related information.
The clarification comes on the heels of trending social media claims alleging that herdsmen attacked a crusade in Agboda Village, forcing worshippers to flee.
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Police Command also debunked the story. Police spokesperson SP Ramhan Nansel explained that no such attack took place, noting that the online video being circulated was misrepresented. He said the only confirmed incident in the area was an isolated robbery in which a motorcyclist sustained injuries.
Both the DSS and police have advised the public to disregard the viral claims and avoid spreading unverified information.
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