Police arrest student over fake bandit invasion report in Bayelsa

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.