The Imo State Police Command has detained 17-year-old Jesse Chidebere, an undergraduate at Imo State University (IMSU), for allegedly fabricating her own abduction and death in a social media hoax.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, shared details of the incident in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the false report caused widespread alarm among Chidebere’s family and the IMSU community.
According to the statement, a distress call was received by police on Oct. 26 at around 10:00 p.m. after a message sent from Chidebere’s WhatsApp account claimed she had been kidnapped and killed, directing her family to visit the Orji Police Station for confirmation.
Police launched an immediate investigation and discovered on Oct. 27 that Chidebere was alive and had orchestrated the incident as a prank.
ASP Okoye added that an investigation is ongoing to understand her motive, with Chidebere set to face legal action for her actions. He also conveyed the concern of the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who condemned the prank as reckless and a misuse of police resources.
The statement urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of such hoaxes and stressed the command’s commitment to fighting misinformation and maintaining public safety across Imo State.
