The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old university student for allegedly creating and circulating a false social media report claiming that bandits had invaded parts of the state and were being held by militants demanding a N50 million ransom.

Commissioner of Police Daniel Iyamah disclosed the arrest while addressing journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, stating that the misleading post, which surfaced on June 5, 2026, sparked fear among residents and disrupted commercial and academic activities in some communities.

According to the police, the fabricated report alleged that armed bandits had entered Bayelsa communities before being captured by militants who demanded ₦50 million for their release.

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

The commissioner explained that the viral report particularly affected Polaku Community and nearby areas, where worried parents hurried to schools to pick up their children while business activities were temporarily halted.

“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 police operatives immediately launched investigations by 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 of 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 boss disclosed that the suspect is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where he has provided statements aiding ongoing investigations.

Warning against the abuse of social media platforms, Iyamah stressed that the command would not tolerate the spread of false information capable of causing 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 claimed in the viral report.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have impounded a tanker with 45,000 litres of illegally acquired petroleum products.

The NSCDC State Commandant, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday, said three suspects were arrested during the operation, which followed credible intelligence.

She said, ”On June 23, at about 1300hrs, our operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a petroleum tanker at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was laden with a product suspected to be ethanol acquired illegally.”

According to her, upon interrogation by operatives of the command, the suspects presented a waybill which immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies.

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Abetianbe added that further investigation and inquiry conducted to confirm the authenticity of the declared point of loading returned negative.

The commandant warned that illegal dealing in petroleum products in the country was not just a crime, but an act of economic sabotage.

According to her, illegal dealing in petroleum products deprived the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.

She reiterated that NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, would not relent in carrying out its mandate.

An explosion which occurred inside a large drainage channel located at No.1 Old Nekede Road opposite Lakeside Hotel in Owerri West LGA has killed two persons suspected to be scavengers.

The Imo State Police Command, in a statement released by the apokesperson, Henry Okoye, said it has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Okoye hinted that operatives of the Command, acting on a report from residents within the area, immediately mobilized to the scene, cordoned off the area, and deployed operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit to secure and thoroughly sweep the scene.

He disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the two victims who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are said to be scrap metal scavengers who were identified as  Hyginus Akalonu, 32, a native of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, and 22 year old Victor Egwu, from Agba, Ishielu LGA of  Ebonyi State.

The police spokesperson added that the two individuals sustained severe burn injuries and were promptly evacuated to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment.

The Command’s EOD Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Okoye added that updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.

Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, reassured residents that the Command is fully on top of the situation.

The CP urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.