Police Arrest Student Over Fake Bandit Invasion Report in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old university student for allegedly originating and circulating a false social media report claiming that armed bandits had invaded parts of the state and were being held by militants demanding a ₦50 million ransom.

The Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, disclosed the arrest while briefing journalists in Yenagoa on Friday. He said the misleading report, which surfaced on June 5, 2026, caused widespread fear among residents and disrupted normal activities in several communities.

According to Iyamah, the fabricated report falsely alleged that armed bandits had infiltrated Bayelsa communities before being captured by local militants, who were allegedly demanding ₦50 million to secure their release.

“The publication generated widespread concern among residents and triggered panic in several communities,” the police commissioner said.

He explained that the report particularly affected Polaku Community and surrounding areas, where anxious parents hurried to schools to pick up their children over fears of an imminent attack. Commercial activities were also temporarily suspended as residents sought safety.

“As a result of the false report, parents in Polaku Community and its environs rushed to schools to pick up their children, while commercial activities were temporarily disrupted, and many citizens became apprehensive about their safety,” Iyamah added.

Following the circulation of the report, the command deployed intelligence and operational teams to verify the claims.

According to the commissioner, investigations and on-the-ground assessments confirmed that the report was entirely false and designed to spread fear among members of the public.

The suspect, identified as Promise Etete, is a 300-level student of the University of Uyo from Akwa Ibom State.

Iyamah said detectives tracked and arrested him through intelligence-led policing, digital investigation and technical surveillance.

“Through intelligence-led policing, digital investigation and technical tracking, detectives successfully identified, tracked and arrested one Promise Etete in connection with originating and posting the misleading report,” he stated.

The suspect is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, where he is assisting investigators.

The commissioner warned against the misuse of social media, stressing that cyberspace is not beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.

He urged residents to verify security-related information before sharing it and reassured the public that there was no bandit invasion, no attack on schools and no threat to public safety anywhere in Bayelsa State as falsely claimed in the viral report.