The Edo State Police Command has officially denied reports circulating on social media alleging the kidnapping of students from Green Park Academy in Aduwawa, Benin City. In a statement released to the public, the command clarified that a woman known as 'Azawoman' on TikTok had raised a false alarm.
The controversy began when a viral video showed the woman claiming that a comment under one of her posts indicated students who had gone to write their Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) had been abducted. However, the police command, after thorough verification and preliminary investigation, established that no kidnapping incident occurred at the school as alleged.
Further findings by the police revealed that the report is entirely false, lacks any factual basis, and was deliberately disseminated to misinform the public and create unwarranted panic within the state. The command strongly condemned the reckless spread of false information, which it said is capable of undermining public confidence, causing fear among residents, and diverting attention from genuine security concerns.
Such actions constitute a threat to public order and will not be tolerated, the statement added. The police have commenced steps to apprehend the originator of the false report for questioning and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws. The command urged members of the public to verify information from official sources before sharing and to avoid spreading unverified claims that could lead to unnecessary panic.
