By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Police in Akwa Ibom has said that five suspects who fabricated and circulated a false kidnapping incident involving students of Oron Secondary School have been arrested and have been charged to court.
Our Correspondent reports that the news of the fake kidnap caused panic across schools in the state following recent spare of kidnappings in parts of the country with many parents making plans either to withdraw their boarding students and temporarily stop their wards from going to school.
State Police Commissioner, Baba Azare who made this known during a high-level strategic security meeting with Youth Presidents and Youth Leaders drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state described the action of the suspects as reckless and dangerous, capable of inciting panic and undermining public confidence.
Azare however assured the public that the Command would continue to take decisive action against persons who spread misinformation or attempts to destabilize the peace of the state.
The Commissioner called on rhe youth leaders to champion truth, promote responsible social media use, and counter false narratives capable of disrupting public order and further encouraged stronger collaboration with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure early detection of threats and swift resolution of emerging issues.
He noted that their responsible conduct, intelligence sharing, and timely interventions prevented several potential crises and contributed significantly to the Command’s operational successes in 2025.
The CP urged the youth leaders to continue to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, especially in engagements with investors, contractors, and development partners operating within their communities emphasizing that peaceful dialogue promote development and foster trust, while confrontational approaches undermine progress and tarnish community reputation.
He also issued a strong warning against jungle justice, describing the act as unlawful, barbaric, and capable of triggering widespread violence. He emphasized that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands and warned that anyone found participating in mob action will be arrested and prosecuted.
The youth leaders and community representatives in their responses unanimously promised to cooperate and support the Police in all possible ways while epresentative of the content creators Comrade Ekanem Ekanem promised to work with the Command tyio reduce crime and criminality or causing problem in any form in the name of content.
Ekanem equally promised to help expose the bad ones hiding under them in violating Cybercrime Order, in the name of content creation.
The meeting ended with a renewed pledge by the youth leaders and the Police Command to deepen cooperation, reinforce community values, and work collectively to sustain the peace, unity, and development of the State.
