Police arrest student for filing false bandit invasion report in Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Police Command has detained a 23‑year‑old university student who is accused of producing and sharing a fabricated social media post that alleged bandits had entered the state and were being held by militants demanding a N50 million ransom.

Commissioner of Police Daniel Iyamah announced the arrest during a briefing to journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, noting that the misleading post, which appeared on June 5, 2026, caused fear among residents and disrupted commercial and academic activities in several communities.

Police said the fabricated report claimed that armed bandits had entered Bayelsa communities and were then seized by militants who demanded ₦50 million for their release.

“The publication generated widespread concern among residents and triggered panic in several communities,” Iyamah said.

Iyamah explained that the viral report had a pronounced impact on Polaku Community and surrounding areas, prompting anxious parents to rush to schools to collect their children while business activities were temporarily suspended.

“As a result of the false report, parents in Polaku Community and its environs rushed to schools to pick up their children, while commercial activities were temporarily disrupted, and many citizens became apprehensive about their safety,” he said.

Iyamah said that police operatives promptly launched investigations, deploying intelligence and operational teams to verify the claims.

“Following extensive on-the-spot assessments and intelligence gathering, it became evident that the information being circulated was entirely false,” he said.

He identified the suspect as Promise Etete, a 300‑level student at the University of Uyo from Akwa Ibom State.

“Through intelligence‑led policing, digital investigation and technical tracking, detectives successfully identified, tracked and arrested one Promise Etete, a 23‑year‑old 300‑level student of the University of Uyo, in connection with originating and posting the misleading report,” he said.

The police commander revealed that the suspect is now in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where he has given statements to assist ongoing investigations.

Iyamah warned against the abuse of social media, emphasizing that the command would not tolerate the spread of false information that could incite public panic.

“Let me state clearly that cyberspace is not beyond the reach of law enforcement. I, therefore, warn individuals who use social media irresponsibly to desist from such acts. I also urge residents to verify security‑related information before sharing it,” he said.

He reassured Bayelsa residents that there was no bandit invasion, no attack on schools, and no threat to public safety as alleged in the viral report.