The Imo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that four students of Government Girls Secondary School, Okigwe Road, Owerri, were abducted by suspected herdsmen, describing the claims as false and misleading.
Rumours circulating earlier on Tuesday claimed that four students of the school had been kidnapped, sparking concern among parents and residents. However, the police have clarified that no such incident occurred.
In a statement issued by the Command's spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the police said the report was entirely unfounded and urged members of the public to disregard it.
According to Okoye, following the emergence of the report, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP 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 investigate the claim.
The police team visited the school and met with the principal, Mrs. Amadi Apolonia, as well as members of staff and students. They all confirmed that no abduction had taken place and described the report as false.
"The students and staff are safe and accounted for, and academic activities are continuing without interruption," the statement noted.
The Command further stressed that there has been no abduction involving any school within Owerri metropolis or any part of Imo State.
Addressing concerns over the early dismissal of students from government secondary schools in Owerri, the police explained that the decision was purely administrative and unrelated to any security threat. The early closure was reportedly due to a scheduled meeting involving teachers and school staff at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Secretariat.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic and confusion.
He also warned that the deliberate dissemination of fake news and misinformation is a criminal offence, adding that individuals found responsible for such acts would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
.jfif)
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