The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old lady addressed as Jesse Chidiebere, a student of Imo State University, IMSU, who faked her kidnapping and death.
According to a statement from Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, the police received alarming reports last Saturday about Chidebere’s alleged disappearance.
Disturbingly, a message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been kidnapped and murdered, prompting her family to rush to the Orji Police Station for verification.
In response to the reports, the police initiated a search operation. On Sunday, October 27, 2024, they located Chidebere, who was unharmed and revealed that she had fabricated the entire ordeal as a prank intended for social media.
The statement read, “Last Saturday, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidebere missing. A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, urging her family to go to the Orji Police Station for confirmation.
“In response, police operatives launched a search and discovered on Sunday that Chidebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank on social media. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain her motives for such mischief and she will certainly face prosecution.”
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, expressed concern over the behaviour he described as “irresponsible, which wastes valuable resources and causes public panic.”
He urged parents to caution their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation.
Danjuma said, “The command remains committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the state.”
