In a dramatic reversal, Nigerian evangelist Daniel Ukpo has publicly denied his earlier claims that herdsmen invaded and disrupted his religious crusade in Nasarawa State. The cleric, who was recently arrested by police for allegedly spreading false information, now says the initial incident was misunderstood.
Police Investigation Reveals True Incident
According to police spokesperson SP Rahman Nansel, preliminary investigations uncovered a different story from what the cleric initially claimed. On the day of the crusade in Agboda community, a motorcyclist was attacked by unknown persons along a feeder road leading to the village. The victim sustained a machete cut and had his motorcycle stolen by the assailants.
Police authorities confirmed that this criminal incident was mistakenly interpreted as herdsmen invading the community to disrupt the religious gathering. The Nasarawa State Police Command had arrested Ukpo on November 26 for what they described as "spreading false news" about the event.
Cleric's Public Retraction
In a new video statement, Evangelist Ukpo completely dismissed his earlier claims of herdsmen invading his crusade ground. The cleric explicitly asked anyone who had seen or shared his initial video to take it down, acknowledging that it did not represent the factual account of what actually occurred.
This retraction comes just two days after Ukpo first made headlines with his viral video alleging that herdsmen had disrupted his religious gathering. The quick turnaround highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing potentially inflammatory claims, especially in regions with existing community tensions.
Lessons in Responsible Information Sharing
The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the spread of unverified information in Nigeria's increasingly connected digital landscape. Police authorities have emphasized the importance of confirming facts before making public statements that could potentially incite violence or create unnecessary panic among communities.
As religious gatherings continue across various Nigerian communities, this case demonstrates the need for accurate reporting and responsible communication from all stakeholders, including religious leaders who often have significant influence over their followers.
