The Tanzanian government has confirmed that the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Tanzania Police Force was compromised by unknown individuals, leading to the spread of false and panic-inducing information posing as official communication.
In an official statement, Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa strongly condemned the incident, warning the public about the dangers of misinformation circulating on social media platforms. He emphasized that the government has detected a growing trend where misleading content is being shared with the intention of causing fear and confusion among citizens.
“All citizens are hereby warned that the Government has identified the presence of misleading information being spread on social media, through the publication of content intended to cause panic and instill fear among the public,” said Msigwa.
According to the spokesperson, cybercriminals have also been creating fake social media accounts resembling those of reputable institutions to mislead the public by sharing false and alarming content.
“It has been discovered that there are criminals creating social media accounts with names similar to those of trusted institutions, and using them to post misleading and alarming content.”
Msigwa urged Tanzanians to exercise caution and verify any suspicious information through official channels before reacting or sharing such posts.
“We remind citizens of the importance of using social media responsibly and safely, and urge you to verify such information with the relevant authorities if you come across it.”
He further assured the public that investigations are already underway and the government is taking firm action to identify and prosecute those behind the cyberattack.
“The Government issues a warning to all those engaging in this criminal activity, and measures are already being taken to deal with these offenders.”
To stay informed and avoid falling victim to misinformation, the public has been encouraged to follow the Government Spokesperson’s verified accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime and the urgent need for digital responsibility in an age where misinformation can spread rapidly and undermine public trust in legitimate institutions.
Written By Rodney Mbua
