A viral message promising N75,000 to residents of Jigawa State triggered a rush to government offices on Wednesday, only for officials to confirm the claim was entirely fake.
The rumour, which spread rapidly on social media, claimed the federal government was distributing the money as COVID-19 relief. Residents, hopeful that emergency funds had arrived, descended on the Gumel local government secretariat in large numbers to register or collect their share.
Jigawa officials quickly moved to shut down the false claim, telling residents there was no such grant scheme. The state has seen similar rumours before, and each time crowds gather at government buildings hoping to claim money that does not exist.
The incident highlights how misinformation spreads faster than correction in Nigeria, especially when poverty-stricken communities hear promises of quick cash. With unemployment high and incomes under pressure, residents are desperate enough to act on unverified claims. Social media makes it easy for fake news to reach thousands within hours, and by then crowds have already mobilised.
State officials have not announced plans to verify the source of the rumour or trace who started it. They have simply asked residents to disregard the message and stop gathering at government offices based on unconfirmed reports. The Jigawa government urged people to only trust official government channels for announcements about grants, relief payments, or any other assistance schemes.
