Bayelsa Police Arrest University Student Over False Bandit Invasion Alert.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old student of the University of Uyo over allegations of spreading false information that triggered panic about a supposed bandit invasion in Bayelsa State.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Edebor, confirmed that the suspect, identified as Promise Etete, a 300-level student, allegedly created and circulated a misleading social media post on June 5, 2026.

The post claimed that armed bandits had infiltrated parts of Bayelsa State, allegedly sparking panic across several communities.

According to the police, the false report led to significant disruption, with parents rushing to schools to pick up their children, commercial activities temporarily halted, and widespread anxiety among residents.

Following the circulation of the report, the police said the Commissioner of Police ordered immediate deployment of operational and intelligence units to affected areas to verify the claims.

After an on-the-spot assessment and intelligence gathering, authorities concluded that no such attack or invasion had occurred.

Through what the command described as digital tracking and intelligence-led investigation, officers later traced the origin of the post to Promise Etete, who was subsequently arrested.

The suspect is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yenagoa and is said to be cooperating with investigators.

CP Edebor warned against the spread of false security alerts on social media, stressing that online misinformation can cause unnecessary panic and disrupt public order.

He also reassured residents that there was no bandit invasion, no attack on schools, and no threat to public safety as earlier circulated.