Crowds trooped to the Gumel Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday after a false rumour spread online claiming that residents with COVID-19 vaccination cards would receive a N75,000 cash grant.

PUNCH Online gathered that residents of Gumel LGA rushed to the council secretariat and other public places following the viral claim.

It was learnt that the rumour promised money to anyone who could provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Our correspondent observed that the posts were circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups, with many people believing the message and abandoning their daily activities to queue for the non-existent payment.

It will be recalled that the Jigawa State Government conducted COVID-19 vaccination campaigns across all 27 local government areas of the state between 2021 and 2023.

The exercise was coordinated by the State Ministry of Health and the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, with support from federal health authorities.

During the campaign, millions of residents received vaccines at designated centres across the state’s 287 ward health facilities, including those in Gumel, and vaccination cards were issued as proof of immunisation.

The previous vaccination exercise is now being linked to the current rumour in Gumel LGA, as fraudsters are reportedly using it to lure unsuspecting residents with fake grant promises.

In separate interviews with PUNCH on Tuesday, two residents shared their experiences.

Malam Idris Sani said he travelled from a village 15 kilometres away after seeing the message.

“I heard on WhatsApp that COVID-19 card holders will collect N75,000 today. I came early but found nothing here,” he said.

Another resident, Maryamu Salisu, said she was disappointed.

“The rumour said the government wants to pay vaccinated people. I brought my card, but officials told us it’s fake news,” she said.

The Gumel Local Government Council quickly moved to dispel the rumour.

The Special Adviser to the Chairman on New Media, Hussaini Umar Gumel, told PUNCH, “The news has no basis at all. No government agency announced any N75,000 grant for COVID-19 cardholders.”

He urged residents to ignore the false claim.

“People should disregard the rumour and verify information before sharing or taking any action,” he said.

“Gumel council officials are now sensitising residents to stop the spread of fake news,” he added.

In a telephone interview with PUNCH on Tuesday, a senior official of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, who requested anonymity, also debunked the claim.

“JSPHCDA did not approve, and it is not paying any cash grant to vaccinated persons. The rumour is false,” he said.

The official, who said he was not authorised to speak to the press, advised residents to be wary of scammers.

“Fraudsters use old vaccination data to defraud people. Do not give anyone money or personal details because of this fake grant,” he warned.

The Jigawa State Ministry of Health also reacted through its Public Relations Officer, Sagir Nayaya, who told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the ministry had no record of such a payment.

“No Ministry of Health programme is disbursing N75,000 to COVID-19 card holders. This is misinformation,” he said.

The PRO advised the public to verify information through official sources.

“Verify information from government websites or accredited media before you believe or share it,” Nayaya said.

The PUNCH)