The Imo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging an attack or abduction of school children at the Government Girls Secondary School, Owerri, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Okoye, said on Tuesday that the Command received reports circulating on social media claiming that students of the school had been kidnapped by suspected herdsmen, prompting immediate verification.
He said 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 visit the school and confirm the situation.
According to him, upon arrival, the police team interfaced with the school principal, Mrs. Amadi Apolonia, staff and students, all of whom confirmed that no abduction took place.
“The Command wishes to categorically debunk a false and misleading report circulated by mischief makers alleging the abduction of students… The report is entirely false, unfounded, and should be disregarded,” Okoye said.
He added that all students and staff were safe and accounted for, stressing that academic activities in the school continued without disruption.
Okoye further clarified that the early dismissal of students from some government secondary schools in Owerri was purely administrative and linked to a scheduled meeting of teachers at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) state secretariat, not any security threat.
He warned against the spread of misinformation, noting that fake news capable of causing panic is a criminal offence and would be investigated and prosecuted.
“The 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 said.
The Command reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property, particularly the safety of students and schools across the state, adding that it would continue to strengthen the Safe School Initiative in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
