The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed that five individuals have been charged to court for allegedly filing a false report of a schoolgirls’ abduction at Oron Secondary School.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, made the disclosure at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia during a strategic security meeting with youth presidents and leaders from all 31 local government areas.

CP Azare stressed that false alarms like these can create panic and erode public trust. He assured that the command will take firm action against anyone spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt peace in the state.

He urged youth leaders to promote truth, responsible social media use, and counter false narratives that could destabilize communities. He also called for closer collaboration with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure early detection of threats and prompt resolution of incidents.

The police chief further condemned acts of jungle justice, describing them as unlawful, barbaric, and capable of sparking widespread violence. He warned that anyone participating in mob action would be arrested and prosecuted, emphasizing that suspects should always be handed over to the police for lawful investigation and prosecution.

Regarding the state government’s ban on hostile masquerade activities, CP Azare stated that enforcement has commenced, with such activities now limited to village or town hall squares. Any exceptions would require clearance from the office of the Police Commissioner.

In response, youth leaders and community representatives commended the Commissioner for his leadership, peacekeeping efforts, and robust security measures. They pledged their support to strengthen security across the state.

Additionally, a representative of content creators promised to cooperate with the police, committing to avoid any criminal activities or disruptions in the name of content creation.