The Rivers State Police Command has strongly denied circulating reports about Fulani herdsmen attacks within the state, describing the viral claims as completely fabricated and intended to create unnecessary fear among residents.
Police Dismisses Viral Social Media Narrative
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, police authorities addressed a trending video that falsely alleged herdsmen had attacked a community in Rivers State and were subsequently repelled by Ijaw youth groups. The police command stated unequivocally that no such incidents have occurred or been reported anywhere in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko emphasized that the misleading content was created by mischief-makers aiming to undermine the current peace and stability enjoyed across Rivers State. She urged citizens to completely disregard the false information and exercise caution when encountering unverified content on social media platforms.
Security Measures and Public Assurance
The police spokesperson confirmed that security forces are maintaining robust measures to ensure public safety, including regular patrol teams, surveillance units, and tactical squads working in coordination with other security agencies. These efforts are focused on preserving the existing peace and preventing any potential disturbances.
SP Iringe-Koko specifically warned that sharing unverified content could spark unnecessary tension and damage the state's reputation, urging the public to rely only on official police channels for accurate security information.
Related Incident in Delta State
In a separate but related development, tension gripped Kwale, the headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area in Delta State, on Monday when students of Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School fled their classrooms amid fears of a potential herdsmen attack.
The panic reportedly began when students spotted two herdsmen entering the school premises from the rear, triggering a stampede as students rushed to safety. This incident caused widespread alarm throughout the local community.
A community source revealed that the fear had been building since rumors circulated over the weekend about herdsmen being seen near the school surroundings. Police authorities in Delta State quickly dismissed the incident as false and capable of inciting unnecessary chaos, though they acknowledged the community's heightened alertness due to previous tensions between herdsmen and host communities.
Both incidents highlight the ongoing sensitivity around farmer-herder relations in Nigeria and the potential for misinformation to quickly escalate tensions, prompting security agencies to remain vigilant against false narratives that could disrupt public peace.
