The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arraigned five individuals accused of raising a false alarm about the alleged abduction of schoolgirls from Oron Secondary School. The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the development during a strategic security meeting held at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo.
The meeting brought together youth presidents and youth leaders from all 31 local government areas of the state. According to the police commissioner, the false report, which circulated widely on social media, caused fear and confusion among residents before investigators confirmed that no such kidnapping occurred.
CP Azare said the suspects responsible for pushing the story have now been charged to court. He warned that spreading misinformation, especially false security alerts, poses a serious threat to public peace.
The commissioner condemned the growing trend of people posting unverified security information on social media. He said such acts could spark panic, disrupt law and order, and damage the credibility of security agencies.
“False alarms can create fear and destroy public confidence,” he said. “We will continue to take firm action against anyone who spreads misinformation or attempts to destabilise the peace of the state.”
He explained that the police have identified social media as an important tool for communication, but warned that it should never be misused to mislead the public or cause fear.
The false report of schoolgirls’ abduction had triggered anxiety among parents, teachers, and community members. The command said it was able to quickly investigate and debunk the claim, but stressed that such cases waste valuable time and divert resources away from genuine security threats.
The commissioner urged youth leaders to use their influence positively, especially in their communities and online spaces. He appealed to them to guide young people toward responsible behaviour, particularly regarding what they post and share on social media.
He called on them to “champion truth, promote responsible social media use, and counter false narratives capable of disrupting public order.” He also encouraged stronger collaboration between community youths and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to help detect threats early and resolve issues before they escalate.
“Youth leaders must work closely with the police. When there is trust and communication, problems are solved faster. We want all youths to be peace ambassadors,” CP Azare said.
The commissioner also used the meeting to address the rising cases of mob action, also known as jungle justice. He described the act as illegal, dangerous, and capable of triggering wider violence.
“No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands,” he warned. “Anyone found participating in mob action shall be arrested and prosecuted.”
Jungle justice remains a recurring problem in many Nigerian communities, where suspected criminals are often beaten or killed by mobs before police intervention. The police chief said such actions prevent fair investigation, risk killing innocent people, and fuel disorder.
He urged youths and communities to always hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, instead of resorting to violence.
CP Azare also spoke on the state government’s recent regulation of masquerade activities, which came after reports of unruly behaviour and violence by some masquerade groups. He said enforcement of the new rules has already started.
Under the new directive, masquerades are allowed to perform only within approved village or town hall squares. Any group that wants to hold a procession or appear in public must obtain clearance from the office of the Commissioner of Police.
The police chief said the restrictions were necessary to prevent clashes, protect public safety, and maintain order, especially during festive seasons when masquerade activities increase.
During the meeting, youth leaders and community representatives unanimously expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police for what they described as steady leadership and improved security in the state. They commended the police command for reducing crime rates and maintaining peace.
The youth leaders pledged to support the police through information-sharing, community engagement, and mobilising their members to promote peace. Many said they were satisfied with the current level of security and promised to help sustain it.
A representative of content creators also addressed the gathering. He promised that content creators in the state would work closely with the police to avoid producing misleading or harmful content in the name of entertainment. He assured the commissioner that they would support efforts to maintain peace, and avoid actions that could encourage crime or misinformation.
The meeting is part of ongoing efforts by the police command to strengthen community policing and build stronger relationships with young people, who make up a large percentage of the state’s population. CP Azare emphasised that security cannot be achieved by the police alone, and requires cooperation from residents, youth organisations, religious groups, schools, and community associations.
He said the successful arraignment of the five suspects should send a clear message that the police will not tolerate falsehood or attempts to cause unnecessary panic.
“Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state. We will not allow anyone to create fear or disturb public order,” he said.
As the case continues in court, the police command is urging residents to verify information before sharing it, especially when it concerns security. The CP said the command remains committed to transparency and encouraged the public to report suspicious activities or false claims to the nearest police station.
