A social media user has been arrested in Edo State after police investigations reportedly debunked claims he shared online about a series of student abductions in Benin City.
The suspect, identified as TikToker Uzebor Emmanuel, popularly known as “Aza Woman,” was taken into custody by operatives of the Edo State Police Command over viral posts alleging that students and other residents had been kidnapped in different parts of the city.
According to the reports circulated online, some of the alleged victims were students of Green Park Academy and Western Boys’ College who were supposedly abducted in mini buses. The posts further claimed that a number of the victims escaped, while others were released after ransom payments were made.
Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said investigations carried out by the command found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. She noted that the claims caused anxiety among residents and triggered unnecessary panic across the state.
The police said the suspect would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The command also urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it, stressing that spreading unconfirmed reports can create fear, disrupt public order, and undermine security efforts.
