The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that newly developed technological tools can detect deepfake videos and other artificially manipulated digital content with up to 99 per cent accuracy.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create misleading videos, fabricated images and cloned voices capable of influencing public opinion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The police said the emerging technology would strengthen efforts to identify digitally manipulated content, investigate cybercrime and prevent the spread of election-related misinformation.
The disclosure was made during a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to examine the implications of artificial intelligence and misinformation for Nigeria’s electoral process.
The webinar, themed, “AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote,” brought together stakeholders from the security, media, technology, electoral administration and civil society sectors.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, was among the key personalities expected to address the growing security challenges associated with artificial intelligence and digital misinformation.
The police have expressed concern that deepfake technology could be exploited by individuals and political interests to impersonate public officials, fabricate speeches, manipulate videos and circulate false information during the election period.
Such activities could create confusion, heighten political tensions and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
Deepfakes are digitally manipulated videos, images or audio recordings created with artificial intelligence to make individuals appear to say or do things they never actually said or did.
The technology has become increasingly accessible, allowing individuals with limited technical knowledge to produce convincing fabricated content using readily available applications.
The police have also intensified efforts to strengthen their cybercrime investigation capacity through digital forensic tools and collaboration with technology companies.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has been involved in investigating cases of online impersonation, digital fraud and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that relying solely on human observation may no longer be sufficient to identify sophisticated manipulated content.
They have therefore recommended stronger cooperation between security agencies, electoral institutions, media organisations and technology companies to improve digital verification and public awareness.
The development is particularly significant as political activities gradually increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has also raised concerns about AI-generated photographs and manipulated digital materials appearing in the voters’ register.
INEC has disclosed that it is strengthening its technological capacity to identify irregularities and protect the credibility of the electoral process.
Stakeholders at the PUNCH Media Foundation webinar are expected to examine practical measures for detecting manipulated content, promoting responsible artificial intelligence use and protecting voters from misleading information.
The police have maintained that technology, public awareness and cooperation among relevant institutions will be important in addressing the emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence.
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