Nigeria Police: Dismantling Phone Farms Targeting Election Misinformation

• The Nigeria Police Force has raided "phone farms" allegedly used to manipulate online conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
• A suspect was arrested for spreading false information about a political candidate from the Southern region to influence voter behavior.
• "Phone farms" are facilities employing hundreds of mobile phones and automated accounts to create a false impression of widespread online discussion.
• The police have acquired cyber solutions capable of detecting AI-generated deepfake videos, manipulated photographs, and cloned audio recordings with up to 99 percent accuracy.
• Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, through ACP Bashir Abdullahi, warned that individuals spreading false information will face arrest and prosecution.

The police have acquired cyber solutions capable of detecting deepfake videos, manipulated photographs, and cloned audio recordings with up to 99 percent accuracy, significantly enhancing the force's ability to identify AI-generated disinformation.

The Nigeria Police Force has initiated a significant operation targeting online disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections, successfully uncovering and dismantling several "phone farms." These facilities, designed to artificially inflate online conversations and manipulate public opinion, were identified during an investigation into coordinated efforts to interfere with the electoral process. This proactive measure highlights a heightened focus on safeguarding the integrity of upcoming elections.

In connection with these operations, law enforcement officials have apprehended an individual accused of disseminating false information concerning a political candidate from Nigeria's Southern region. The suspect allegedly spread misleading reports about events that either had not occurred or were still in progress, with the intent to influence voter behavior and undermine the candidate's public image. This arrest underscores the police's commitment to tracing and prosecuting those involved in electoral manipulation.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu at a PUNCH Media Foundation webinar titled 'AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote', elaborated on the nature of these illicit operations. He described "phone farms" as sophisticated setups utilizing hundreds of mobile phones and automated accounts. Their primary function is to create a false impression of widespread public engagement or discussion around specific online topics, thereby distorting genuine public discourse.

These operations involve individuals orchestrating numerous phones and automated bots to simultaneously propagate information, creating an illusion that a large segment of the population is discussing a particular subject. In reality, a single individual often controls hundreds of devices to manipulate the digital environment. The recent police actions have effectively disrupted these clandestine networks, preventing their continued use for electoral interference. The specific case involved a candidate from the South-South region, where the arrested individual allegedly fabricated narratives about unfulfilled promises or non-existent activities to negatively sway voter sentiment.

The Nigeria Police Force is also bolstering its capabilities to combat increasingly sophisticated forms of election misinformation, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence. ACP Abdullahi revealed that the police have acquired advanced cyber solutions specifically designed to detect deepfake videos, manipulated photographs, and cloned audio recordings. These technologies boast an accuracy rate of up to 99 percent, significantly enhancing the force's ability to identify AI-generated disinformation.

This technological advancement comes with a stern warning from the police. Officials have declared their readiness to arrest and prosecute anyone found spreading false information that could undermine the electoral process. This commitment involves a three-pronged approach: issuing clear warnings, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring the prosecution of offenders. The message is unequivocal: individuals contemplating such actions should reconsider, as the police are equipped and determined to enforce the law against electoral manipulation.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising political campaigns, digital media agencies, or individuals involved in online political discourse in Nigeria must be aware of the increased enforcement risk regarding election misinformation. The police are actively raiding 'phone farms' and using advanced cyber solutions to detect AI-generated disinformation, leading to arrests and prosecution for those spreading false information ahead of the 2027 elections. Clients should be advised to review their digital communication strategies to ensure compliance and avoid potential criminal liability.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Media Foundation