The Bayelsa State Police Command has taken a 23-year-old university student into custody for allegedly spreading a fabricated story on social media. The report falsely claimed that bandits had infiltrated the state and were being held by militants who demanded a ransom of N50 million.
Police Commissioner Daniel Iyamah announced the arrest in Yenagoa this past Friday. He explained that the misleading post, which appeared on June 5, 2026, caused significant alarm and disrupted both local businesses and schools. The misinformation specifically impacted the Polaku community, causing frantic parents to retrieve their children from schools and forcing shops to close due to safety concerns.
Law enforcement officials quickly mobilized intelligence teams to investigate the validity of these claims. After conducting thorough field assessments and digital tracking, they concluded that the reports were entirely groundless. The suspect, identified as Promise Etete, is a 300-level student at the University of Uyo from Akwa Ibom State. He is currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department to assist with the ongoing inquiry.
Commissioner Iyamah used the opportunity to warn the public against the irresponsible use of digital platforms to disseminate panic-inducing falsehoods. He emphasized that the police monitor cyberspace and will not hesitate to prosecute those who spread misinformation. The Commissioner further assured the public that there is no threat from bandits in Bayelsa and urged citizens to confirm security updates through official channels.
