The Arusha Regional Police Force has dismissed as false a viral social media claim alleging that a police officer was assaulted in the region, warning against the spread of misinformation that could create unnecessary public panic.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Arusha Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Justine Masejo, said police investigations had confirmed that no such incident had occurred anywhere in the region.
He said a video being circulated online and linked to the alleged assault was not recorded in Tanzania and had been deliberately accompanied by misleading captions falsely associating it with Arusha.
"There is no incident in Arusha Region involving a police officer being beaten, as claimed in the circulating reports. The video being shared was recorded outside the country and has been falsely labelled to suggest that it occurred in Arusha," said SACP Masejo.
The police chief urged members of the public to disregard the claims, describing them as part of a pattern of misinformation intended to mislead the public and cause alarm.
According to him, the social media user identified as Maria has been involved in creating and disseminating false and provocative content that risks undermining public peace and social harmony.
"We call upon citizens to ignore the information because it is false. The individual has been preparing and distributing misleading content aimed at creating tension and panic within society, which goes against our values, customs and the laws of the country," he said.
SACP Masejo also issued a warning to individuals who use digital platforms to spread false information, incite hatred or create divisions within communities, stressing that such actions are contrary to the country's laws and regulations.
He urged social media users to exercise responsibility by verifying information before sharing it and to rely on official sources when seeking clarification on matters of public interest.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding public order and maintaining peace, while calling on the public to support efforts to combat misinformation and promote responsible use of social media platforms.
