The Imo State Police Command has denied media reports alleging the abduction of students of Government Girls Secondary School, Okigwe Road, Owerri, by suspected herdsmen.
Earlier today, there were reports that four students of the school were abducted.
In a statement released, the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the report is entirely false, unfounded, and should be disregarded by members of the public.
Okoye mentioned that following the misleading report, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, 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 verify the claim at the school. On arrival, he interfaced with the Principal, Mrs. Amadi Apolonia, staff, and students, who confirmed that no such abduction occurred and that the report was entirely false and misleading.
He confirmed that all students and staff are safe and accounted for, while academic activities at the school continue without disruption. There is no abduction involving any school within Owerri Metropolis or any part of Imo State.
The Command further clarified that the early dismissal of students from government secondary schools in Owerri was purely administrative and not connected to any security threat, as the arrangement was necessitated by a scheduled meeting at the NUT Secretariat involving teachers and school staff.
The Commissioner of Police urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to desist from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic. The Command also warns that 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.
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