Police hunt originators of fake report of herder attack on Enugu school

Enugu State police are actively investigating the source of a social media report that falsely claimed armed herders attacked a school in the Ezeagu Local Government Area. The command has officially refuted the allegations, labeling them as "false and misleading."

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On-the-spot security assessments, intelligence gathering, operational actions and discreet investigations immediately launched by the command clearly revealed that no such attack occurred in any school within Ezeagu LGA or elsewhere in Enugu State.

According to Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson, immediate security assessments, intelligence gathering, and investigations confirmed that no attack took place in any school within the Ezeagu LGA or any other part of the state. The police expressed concern over the deliberate fabrication and circulation of such unfounded information, noting its potential to incite fear and create unnecessary panic among the public, including school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

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The command notes with concern the deliberate fabrication and circulation of such unfounded information, which is capable of inciting fear and creating unnecessary panic.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the individual or individuals responsible for originating and disseminating the false report. The Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Mamman Giwa, has directed tactical and intelligence units to prioritize this task, emphasizing that the perpetrators will face the full extent of the law.

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The originators and peddlers would face the full weight of the law.

This incident is reminiscent of a similar case in Akwa Ibom State, where police arrested a man for allegedly posting fake news on Facebook about an impending bandit attack. The Enugu police reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order. Residents are urged to disregard the false report, remain calm, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

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Residents are encouraged to disregard the report and remain calm, law-abiding, and security conscious, while promptly reporting suspicious persons, activities and other security concerns to the nearest police station or any security agency.