A man identified as Gyenger Paul has been arrested for allegedly using a fake social media account under the name "Terna Sunday Tyo" to insult the Governor of Benue State.
The arrest comes after authorities tracked a series of offensive posts aimed at the governor, which were shared online using the pseudonymous account.
According to the police, Paul had been operating the fake account for some time, using it to post defamatory and inflammatory content about the governor and other state officials.
Authorities launched an investigation following complaints from concerned citizens and government officials about the nature of the posts, which were seen as inciting unrest and spreading misinformation.
The investigation revealed that Paul had not only used the pseudonymous account to criticize the governor but also allegedly received financial support to fund his activities.
It remains unclear who may have provided the funding or whether others were involved in orchestrating the online attacks.
Paul's arrest has sparked a broader conversation about the misuse of social media in Nigeria and the rising trend of cyber harassment against public officials.
The Benue State government has called for stricter regulations on online platforms, urging citizens to exercise decorum and verify facts before making public statements.
The authorities have vowed to continue monitoring social media for similar cases, warning that anyone caught using fake identities to defame or insult others will face legal consequences.
Paul is currently in custody and is expected to be charged with cyber harassment, defamation, and other related offenses.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by anonymous accounts in the digital age and the need for responsible use of social media.
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