By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Edo State Police Command has debunked reports alleging that bandits and kidnappers abducted school children in parts of the state, describing the claim as false and misleading.
In a statement by the Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command noted that it has identified and arrested Ernest Ugbomoiko, 42, from Afuze Community, as the individual responsible for originating and circulating the false information.
According to the police, a viral report claimed that school children had been kidnapped in Afuze, Ehor, Otuo, Agbede and Igueben communities.
However, the Command clarified that no such incident occurred in any of the mentioned areas or elsewhere in Edo State.
The Police decried that the false report was capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents and undermining public peace.
“The report is false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents. There was no incident of school children being kidnapped in the mentioned areas or any other part of Edo State,” the PPRO said.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents that schools across the state remain secure.
He explained that the deployment of security personnel to schools and other vulnerable locations was not a reaction to the false kidnap report but part of ongoing proactive policing strategies.
He added that security presence across the state has been intensified on the directive of the Commissioner of Police to further strengthen safety.
Parents, guardians, school administrators and students were urged to continue their daily activities without fear, as adequate security measures remain in place.
The Command also warned against the deliberate spread of false information, stressing that anyone found circulating fake security alerts capable of causing public disorder would face investigation and prosecution with residents advised to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing such reports.