The Imo State Police Command has denied reports spreading on social media that students of Government Girls Secondary School, Owerri, were kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye described the claim as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic, urging the public to ignore it completely.
He explained that after the report surfaced, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, ordered 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, ACP Wase met with the school authorities, including the Principal, Mrs Amadi Apolonia, alongside staff and students, who all confirmed that no abduction took place and that the viral report was completely untrue.
The Command assured that all students and teachers are safe, and normal academic activities are ongoing without any disruption.
“There is no case of abduction in any school within Owerri or anywhere in Imo State,” Okoye stated.
The police also clarified that the early closure of some government secondary schools in Owerri was purely an administrative decision and had nothing to do with security threats.
It explained that the arrangement was due to a scheduled meeting at the NUT Secretariat involving teachers and school staff.
The Commissioner of Police called on residents to remain calm, stay alert, and avoid sharing unverified information that could create fear or confusion in the public.
He also warned that spreading fake news or misinformation is a criminal offence, adding that anyone found responsible will be investigated and prosecuted.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, especially the safety of students and schools across Imo State, while strengthening its collaboration under the Safe School Initiative to maintain a secure learning environment.