The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced that five suspects have been charged to court in connection with a false kidnapping report involving students of Oron Secondary School in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this at the command headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, during a high-level strategic security meeting with youth presidents and youth leaders drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.
The commissioner said such false alarms could incite panic and undermine public confidence, assuring the public that the command will continue to take decisive action against anyone who spreads misinformation or attempts to destabilise the peace of the state.
He therefore called on youth leaders to champion truth, promote responsible social media use, and counter false narratives capable of disrupting public order, while also urging stronger collaboration with Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, to ensure early detection of threats and swift resolution of emerging issues.
The CP also warned against jungle justice, describing the act as unlawful, barbaric, and capable of triggering widespread violence, adding that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands.
He said anyone found participating in mob action shall be arrested and prosecuted, and urged youths to always hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and lawful prosecution.
On the state government’s recent ban on masquerades’ hostile activities, CP Azare said enforcement has begun, as masquerades’ activities are now strictly confined to village or town hall squares. He added that, in any case of necessity, clearance must be obtained from the office of the Police Commissioner.
Responding, the youth leaders and community representatives unanimously appreciated the Commissioner of Police for his leadership, maintenance of peace and order, and tight security in the state, while pledging readiness to support the police in improving security.
Additionally, the representative of content creators promised to work with the command in their activities and to desist from engaging in crime, criminality, or causing problems in any form in the name of content creation.