The Ekiti State Police Command has debunked a viral social media report alleging that an entire commercial bus carrying passengers was kidnapped along the Aramoko-Ekiti Road on Saturday, May 31, describing the claim as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said the Command promptly deployed intelligence and tactical operatives to the area following the circulation of the report.
He noted that thorough investigations conducted by security personnel confirmed that no such incident occurred.
According to the police spokesperson, findings revealed that the report was deliberately fabricated by individuals seeking to create panic among residents and undermine the ongoing efforts of security agencies and the state government to maintain peace and safety across Ekiti State.
SP Abutu expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of coordinated misinformation, noting that the Command had recorded several false reports in recent weeks relating to alleged bandit attacks and kidnappings in different parts of the state.
He warned that the dissemination of false information constitutes a criminal offence and that anyone found responsible for originating or spreading such reports would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Police Command urged residents to verify information before sharing it on social media and other platforms, stressing the need for public cooperation in the fight against misinformation.
It also encouraged members of the public with useful information about those behind the fake reports to contact the Command through its emergency lines: 08062335577 and 09064050086, or via its official Facebook platforms, Nigeria Police Force Ekiti State Command and PPRO Ekiti.
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property and called on the public to remain vigilant while supporting ongoing security efforts in the state.
