Truth Under Pressure? Evangelist Ukpo’s U-Turn Ignites Fury and Doubts Across Nigeria
By Paul Ebi
Nasarawa — A viral video showing people fleeing what was described as a Fulani herdsmen attack during a crusade in Agboda village has set off a wave of social-media outrage, conflicting official accounts and a police investigation after the evangelist who posted the clip later released a statement that appeared to walk back parts of his original claim.
On November 24–26, a video shared on social platforms by Evangelist Ukpo Daniel — in which people are seen running and the evangelist raises the alarm about a suspected attack near a crusade ground — circulated widely, prompting calls for his protection and reports that he had been detained. Some social-media posts said he had been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Within 24 hours the evangelist posted another video saying the initial account had been misstated: he denied that the DSS arrested him and clarified aspects of what happened. Officials and reporters then produced competing accounts. The Nasarawa police said they had taken the matter up and that the man who posted the clip was in police custody as part of an investigation into the viral footage.
The DSS moved to quash circulating claims that it had arrested the evangelist, calling the allegation false and urging the public to rely on verified information. In an official statement the Service said Evangelist Ukpo Daniel “was never invited nor arrested by the DSS,” and that his wife confirmed they were at the Police Headquarters in Lafia — not in DSS custody. The DSS also warned that such misrepresentations could inflame public tension.
Media reports show a patchwork of details: some outlets reported that the police had briefly detained Ukpo for questioning over the video, while other coverage and the DSS statement stressed there was no DSS arrest. Authorities say they are investigating whether the clip was accurate, whether facts were misreported, and whether the viral spread of the footage amplified misinformation.
The incident has provoked a strong reaction online from churchgoers, clergy and observers. Comments ranged from calls for prudence and verification before sharing viral clips to sharp condemnations of the evangelist for allegedly retracting his original claim. Many users speculated about pressure from security agencies, threats, or motives for a quick retraction; others cautioned that sensationalised reports about herdsmen attacks risk distracting from real security challenges and endangering communities if misinformation spreads. (Social posts and community comments have been widely shared on Facebook and other platforms; the original clips and follow-up statements remain available on those pages.)
What’s next: police said they will continue investigations to establish the facts behind the video and the circumstances in which it was posted and shared. Journalists and authorities have urged the public to avoid sharing unverified content that could inflame tensions or complicate security operations. Meanwhile, the episode has reopened debates inside Christian communities about pastoral conduct, truthfulness, risk-taking in ministry to volatile areas, and the proper response when a minister’s public statements appear to change rapidly.
Key points
Viral video showed people fleeing amid claims of a herdsmen attack at a crusade in Agboda.
The evangelist later posted a follow-up video clarifying/denying some earlier claims and saying he was not arrested by the DSS.
Police say they detained him for questioning; the DSS says it never arrested nor invited him and warned against misinformation.
