The Imo State Police Command has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging that some students of Government Girls Secondary School, Owerri, have been abducted by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
Spokesperson of the Command, Henry Okoye, in a reaction, dismissed the report, saying it was false and misleading, urging members of the public
to disregard it entirely.
He said that upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and Coordinator of the Safe School Initiative, ACP Abdullahi Wase, to immediately verify the claim at the school.
According to him, ACP Wase, on his arrival at the School, interfaced with the Principal, Mrs Amadi Apolonia, staff, and students, who confirmed that no such abduction occurred and that the report was entirely false and misleading.
The Command confirmed that all students and staff are safe and accounted for, while academic activities at the school continue without disruption.
“There is no abduction involving any school within Owerri Metropolis or any part of Imo State,” Okoye informed.
The Command further clarified that the early dismissal of students from Government Secondary Schools in Owerri was purely administrative and not connected to any security threat, as the arrangement was necessitated by a scheduled meeting at the NUT Secretariat involving teachers and School Staff.
The Commissioner of Police urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to desist from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
The Command also warned that deliberate spread of fake news and misinformation is a criminal act, and offenders will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He reiterated that the Command remains firmly committed to the protection of lives and property, particularly the safety of Students and educational institutions across the State, and will continue to strengthen collaboration under the Safe School Initiative to ensure a secure learning environment.
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