17-year-old student arrested for “faking” abduction, death
By Uzair Adam
The Imo State Police Command has detained a 17-year-old undergraduate, Jesse Chidiebere, from Imo State University (IMSU), for allegedly faking her own kidnapping and death.
ASP Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer, released a statement in Owerri confirming the incident.
According to Okoye, the staged abduction caused severe distress to Chidiebere’s family and the university community.
The incident unfolded on the night of October 26 when a message from Chidiebere’s WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, directing her family to confirm the news at the Orji Police Station.
Acting on a distress call from concerned citizens, police launched an investigation, only to discover the following morning that Chidiebere was safe and that the incident was a social media prank.
The police spokesperson noted that an investigation is ongoing to determine her motives, and Chidiebere will face prosecution.
Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma expressed disappointment over the “irresponsible behaviour,” noting that the incident wasted valuable resources and caused unnecessary public panic.
He advised parents to caution their children against dangerous pranks and the spread of misinformation.
“The command is dedicated to tackling misinformation and maintaining public safety throughout the state,” Danjuma emphasized.