The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced that five suspects have been charged to court in connection with a false report of kidnapping 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 chairmen and youth leaders drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.
The commissioner said such false alarms could cause panic and undermine public confidence, assuring them that the command will continue to take decisive action against anyone who spreads misinformation or attempts to destabilize the peace of the state.
He, therefore, called on youth leaders to uphold the truth, promote responsible use of social media and counter false narratives capable of disrupting public order, while urging closer collaboration with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure early detection of threats and quick resolution of emerging issues.
The PC also warned against jungle justice, describing the act as illegal, 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 engaging in mafia action will be arrested and prosecuted, and urged youths to always hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and legal prosecution.
On the state government’s recent ban on hostile masquerade activities, CP Azare said law enforcement has begun as masquerade activities are now strictly limited to town squares or town halls. He added that in any case of need, permission must be obtained from the Police Commissioner’s office.
Responding, the youth leaders and community representatives unanimously appreciated the Commissioner of Police for his leadership, maintenance of peace and order and strict security in the state, while pledging their readiness to support the police to improve security.
Furthermore, the representative of the content creators promised to collaborate with the command in its activities and to desist from engaging in crimes, criminalities or causing problems in any way in the name of content creation.