Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bauchi State Government has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media claim alleging that Governor Bala Mohammed approved a fixed dowry of ₦1,500 for divorced women, describing the report as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public. The Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Muhammad Binni, stated this while addressing journalists in Bauchi on Sunday, July 25, 2026, warning that the viral video circulating on Facebook and TikTok also falsely claimed that the traditional ruler of Zar (Gum Zar) had directed residents to comply with the purported government policy. According to Binni, the Bauchi State Government has never issued any directive or policy concerning the dowry of divorced or single women, insisting that the information was fake and intended to mislead the public.
The viral claims, which have sparked widespread discussion on social media, also included allegations that the dowry for a single woman who had given birth outside marriage would be ₦3,000, while unmarried women who had remained at home for a long time without giving birth would be married off to drivers free of charge. Binni described the allegations as "entirely false, baseless and fabricated," urging residents to disregard the video and avoid sharing unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension and confusion.
The commissioner further noted that Governor Bala Mohammed had consistently respected the religious beliefs, cultural values and traditions of the people of Bauchi State since assuming office, stressing that the government has not and will not impose policies that contradict these cherished values. He also appealed to the public to verify information before sharing it on social media, warning that the spread of fake news could undermine the peace, unity and reputation of Bauchi State and its rich religious and cultural heritage. The clarification comes amid a broader national conversation about the regulation of social media content and the growing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria's digital space, as the government continues to urge citizens to exercise caution and responsibility in their online engagements.
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