The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force following an intelligence-led investigation that established that the report being circulated was entirely false and capable of inciting panic among residents.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the suspect was apprehended after security operatives traced the origin of the misleading information.
The statement noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the alarm, which circulated on social media platforms, had no factual basis and was deliberately capable of causing fear, confusion, and disruption of public peace in Ebonyi State.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, warned residents against the spread of unverified information, stressing that such actions undermine public safety and could trigger unnecessary tension within communities.
He urged members of the public to always verify information from credible sources before sharing it on social media, noting that the Command would not hesitate to prosecute individuals found culpable in spreading fake news or false security alerts.
The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order across Ebonyi State, adding that it would continue to clamp down on misinformation and other activities capable of threatening public peace.
