The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Nwali Nwibo for allegedly circulating false information claiming that bandits and suspected Fulani herdsmen had invaded Nguzu Edda Community in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest followed what the Command described as a thorough intelligence-led investigation, which reportedly found the claim to be false.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

According to the statement, security operatives launched an investigation after the information gained traction and generated concern among residents.

“The arrest followed a painstaking intelligence-led investigation conducted by the Command, which established the falsity of the report and led to the apprehension of the suspect,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, urged residents to verify the authenticity of information before posting, forwarding, or sharing it on social media and other communication platforms.

She warned that the dissemination of false or misleading information could create unnecessary panic, undermine public confidence, and threaten peace and public order.

The police commissioner further cautioned members of the public against engaging in activities capable of spreading fear within communities, stressing the need for the responsible use of social media.

Okafor reiterated the Command’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in the creation or circulation of fake news and misinformation in accordance with the law.

She also assured residents that the Police Command remains vigilant and committed to maintaining security across the state, while encouraging citizens to rely on verified information from official sources.

The Command urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and avoiding the spread of unconfirmed reports capable of causing tension or public unrest.

A truck driver has lost his life, while his motor boy sustained multiple injuries in a lone accident involving a 40-foot containerised articulated vehicle along the Isheri-Elemu inward Ijegun area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.

According to the agency, the accident involved an empty articulated truck, which reportedly lost balance while in motion and overturned on the road.

The statement explained that the driver became trapped beneath the fallen truck and died instantly due to the impact of the crash, while the motor boy survived with fractures and other injuries.

“The unfortunate incident resulted in the immediate death of the driver, who became trapped beneath the overturned truck and succumbed instantly to the impact of the crash. The motor boy accompanying the deceased, however, survived the accident with multiple injuries and fractures and was promptly rescued and evacuated to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention,” the statement read.

LASTMA said preliminary findings showed that the truck was not carrying any cargo at the time of the accident before it suddenly lost stability and overturned.

Following the incident, operatives of the LASTMA Rescue and Recovery Unit were deployed to the scene for emergency response operations.

The agency disclosed that its officials successfully recovered the body of the deceased driver from beneath the wreckage and also rescued the injured motor boy for treatment.

LASTMA added that traffic officers immediately secured the area and carried out traffic control measures to avoid further accidents and reduce disruption along the route.

Officers of the Isheri-Osun Police Division were also said to have provided security support during the rescue and recovery operation.

To clear the road and restore traffic movement, the agency said a heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck were deployed to remove the overturned truck from the scene.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bakare-Oki Olalekan, expressed sadness over the death of the driver and sympathised with his family.

He also wished the injured motor boy a quick recovery.

Mr Bakare-Oki stressed the need for regular maintenance and proper inspection of heavy-duty vehicles operating on Lagos roads.

“Critical safety components, including braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres, suspension assemblies and other essential mechanical parts, must undergo regular professional assessments to ensure optimum operational efficiency and prevent avoidable tragedies,” Bakare-Oki said.

He further urged transport operators, truck owners and drivers to ensure that their vehicles remain roadworthy and comply with all safety regulations, noting that mechanical failures continue to pose a serious danger to lives and property.

The Oyo State Police Command has recovered a hijacked DAF tanker truck abandoned by suspected criminals in the Ile-Igbon area of the state following intelligence-led operations.

According to the command, the recovery was made after credible intelligence and sustained surveillance efforts aimed at combating violent crime and vehicle theft across Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, the tanker had reportedly been left unattended for several days after the suspects fled the area upon noticing intensified police tracking activities.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker was originally hijacked along the Ijebu-Ode axis of neighbouring Ogun State before being moved into Oyo State.

“The criminal elements who had unlawfully taken possession of the truck abandoned it upon realising that security operatives were actively tracking their movement,” the police stated.

The driver later identified the recovered vehicle and confirmed that it had been forcefully taken from him during the incident.

The owner of the tanker also verified the report, noting that the matter had earlier been reported to police authorities in Ogun State.

Police said the vehicle has been secured and taken into custody pending the completion of investigations and necessary inter-state administrative procedures.

The command added that it is collaborating with its counterpart in Ogun State to facilitate the return of the tanker to its rightful owner, while efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and sustained operations against criminal networks operating within the state.

He also urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and improving public safety.