The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Daniel Iyamah Edebor, has described as false the rumour of attempted terrorist attacks on some schools in the state on Friday.
There was pandemonium in the early hours of Friday at Obunagha and Polaku communities in Yenagoa Local Government and other parts of the state as parents hurried to pick their children from schools following rumours of terrorists attacks.
The commissioner said preliminary investigation revealed that the rumour originated from a false alarm arising from a recent Facebook post by a user identified as one Sen Promise Etete JP, which alleged that “militants seize bandits, demand N50 million ransom per Captive in Bayelsa State.”
The commissioner, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Musa Mohammed, said “the misleading post caused widespread panic, resulting in parents rushing to schools in Obunagha, Pulaku, and other parts of the State to pick up their wards.”
According to the statement, Iyamah immediately deployed and led operational assets including the School Protection Squad, Tactical Teams, and the Drone Unit to Ogbuna, Pulaku, and adjoining communities.
Other areas visited include: the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Gbarainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, Fun-Tari Academy, Sabagreia for an on-the-spot assessment and restoration of order.
The statement hinted that confidence building patrols were also undertaken to reassure citizens of their safety, adding that normalcy has since been restored and residents going about their lawful businesses without hindrance, while monitoring continued.
“The command urges members of the public to disregard unverified reports and avoid sharing information capable of causing panic. Citizens are advised to rely only on official communication channels for security updates,” the statement added.
