BAYELSA POLICE ARREST STUDENT FOR ALLEGEDLY RAISING FALSE BANDIT INVASION ALARM
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old university student for allegedly originating and disseminating 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.
The Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Yenagoa on Friday. He said the viral post, which surfaced on June 5, 2026, created panic among residents and disrupted academic and commercial activities in some communities.
According to the police, the fabricated report alleged that armed bandits had infiltrated several Bayelsa communities before being apprehended by militants who demanded N50 million for their release.
“The publication generated widespread concern among residents and triggered panic in several communities,” Iyamah stated.
He explained that the false report particularly affected Polaku Community and surrounding areas, where anxious parents rushed to schools to pick up their children, while business activities were temporarily disrupted.
“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.
The police commissioner noted that the command swiftly deployed intelligence and operational teams to verify the claims following the circulation of the report.
“Following extensive on-the-spot assessments and intelligence gathering, it became evident that the information being circulated was entirely false,” he added.
Iyamah identified the suspect as Promise Etete, a 300-level student of the University of Uyo from Akwa Ibom State.
He said detectives were able to trace and arrest the suspect through intelligence-led policing, digital investigation and technical tracking.
“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 suspect is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where he is assisting investigators with useful information.
Warning against the misuse of social media platforms, the police commissioner stressed that the command would not tolerate the spread of false information capable of causing fear and public disorder.
“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.
Iyamah reassured residents that there was no bandit invasion, no attack on schools and no threat to public safety as alleged in the viral report, urging the public to remain calm and rely on verified information from credible sources.
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