Viral photo of female kidnappers in Nigeria is AI-generated, police say

The Rivers State Police Command has officially dismissed a viral photograph and accompanying audio message that purported to show the arrest of four female kidnappers disguised as market women in Port Harcourt. The image, which circulated widely on social media, depicted three women in market attire seated beside a commercial bus, allegedly after being apprehended.

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The Rivers State Police Command has taken cognizance of a voice recording and an accompanying photograph currently circulating on various social media platforms alleging her attempted kidnap by four people dressed like market women along woji bridge in a Keke bus in Rivers state.

However, police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko Agabe stated in a release on Saturday that the photograph and audio are false. A preliminary digital assessment of the image revealed clear indicators that it was generated using Artificial Intelligence. The command emphasized that no such incident has been reported anywhere within the state.

"The Rivers State Police Command has taken cognizance of a voice recording and an accompanying photograph currently circulating on various social media platforms alleging her attempted kidnap by four people dressed like market women along woji bridge in a Keke bus in Rivers state," the statement read.

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Following comprehensive checks, it was confirmed that no incident of such nature was reported at any Police Division or formation within the Rivers State Police Command.

Following the verification process, which included communicating with Divisional Police Officers and formations across the state, the command confirmed the authenticity of the claim was non-existent. Efforts to contact the originator of the viral audio message proved unsuccessful.

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Additionally, a preliminary digital assessment of the photograph being circulated in support of the allegation and purported arrest of the so called women displayed on the viral photograph revealed clear indicators that it is Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated and should not be regarded as authentic or credible evidence.

The police have initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend the individual(s) responsible for creating and disseminating the misleading content. Authorities warned that such false information is capable of causing unnecessary panic, fear, and public disorder, urging the public to disregard the content.

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Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend the individual(s) responsible for originating and circulating the false and misleading content capable of causing unnecessary panic, fear, and public disorder.