Imo police arrest teenage IMSU student for ‘faking’ own abduction

The Imo state police have arrested a 17-year-old student of Imo State University (IMSU) for faking her abduction.

The student, arrested in Owerri, has been identified as Jesse Chidiebere.

Henry Okoye, the Imo police spokesperson, said the command received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Jesse’s disappearance.

He said a text sent from her instant messaging account claimed she had been abducted and killed.

The text had asked her family to go to Orji police station for confirmation.

Okoye said police operatives launched a search and discovered that the missing girl was alive.

He said the student was found to have fabricated the story as a social media prank.

“On October 26, 2024, at approximately 10:00 pm, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidiebere missing,” Okoye said.

“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 the following morning, October 27, 2024, that Chidiebere 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 would certainly face prosecution.

“The commissioner of police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has expressed concern over such irresponsible behaviour, which wastes valuable resources and causes public panic.

“He urges parents to caution their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation.

“The Command remains committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the state.”