Enabulele Aibuedefe, 34, was arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly triggering a false kidnapping alarm on the social media site X (formerly Twitter).
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Moses Joel Yamu, condemned the spread of fake news and disinformation, urging residents to desist from such acts.
According to the statement, Aibuedefe, using the handle @edoboy2024, falsely claimed that police officers in Benin City had “kidnapped” two boys and were demanding N2 million for their release. He further warned youths to avoid the Ekenwan Slope area of the city, causing widespread panic among residents.
SP Yamu said, “This is coming on the heels of a false and mischievous claim by one Enabulele Aibuedefe, alleging that the Police in Edo State ‘kidnapped’ two boys and were demanding N2 million for their release. This claim was discovered to be untrue and caused unnecessary apprehension among law-abiding residents of the state.”
The police spokesperson reiterated the Command’s commitment to maintaining public safety and stated that misinformation would not deter officers from fulfilling their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
“The Edo State Police Command is calling on the general public, especially indigene and residents of the state, to desist from raising false alarms and spreading fake, unfounded, and misleading information on social media,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru P. Ozigi, reassured residents of a peaceful festive season, emphasizing the Command’s readiness to ensure security across the state.
The police have vowed to prosecute the suspect as a deterrent to others who may engage in spreading false information that could jeopardize public safety.
