Enugu Police React to Alleged School Attack by Armed Herdsmen

The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that armed herdsmen attacked a school in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

The Command stated that comprehensive investigations and security assessments conducted following the circulation of the report confirmed that no such incident occurred in Ezeagu or any other part of Enugu State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, the Command said intelligence gathering, operational actions, and discreet investigations immediately launched after the report surfaced found no evidence to support the claims.

"The Enugu State Police Command is categorically debunking a false and misleading report currently circulating on social media alleging that armed herdsmen attacked a school in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State," the statement said.

"The Command states without ambiguity that no such attack occurred in any school within the Local Government Area or any other part of Enugu State."

According to the police, on-the-spot security assessments and intelligence-led operations carried out across the area clearly established that the report was entirely unfounded.

The Command expressed concern over what it described as the deliberate fabrication and circulation of false information capable of creating fear and panic among residents.

It noted that the misleading report had the potential to alarm school administrators, teachers, students, pupils, parents, and members of the public, while undermining confidence in the prevailing security situation within the state.

"The Command notes with concern the deliberate fabrication and circulation of such unfounded information, which is capable of inciting fear, creating unnecessary panic, and misleading members of the public, including school administrators, teachers, students, pupils, and parents," the statement added.

The police disclosed that efforts had been intensified to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for originating and disseminating the false report.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Command's Tactical and Intelligence Units to intensify investigations with a view to tracking down those behind the publication.

According to the statement, the Commissioner reiterated the Command's commitment to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring the continued security of schools and communities across Enugu State.

"CP Giwa has directed the Command's Tactical and Intelligence Units to intensify efforts to ensure that the originators and peddlers of the false report are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law," the statement said.

The Commissioner further assured residents that the Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace, public safety, and order throughout the state.

He urged members of the public to disregard the report, remain calm, law-abiding, and security conscious, while continuing to support security agencies with credible information.

Residents were also encouraged to promptly report suspicious persons, activities, and other security concerns to the nearest police station or any security agency.

The Command advised the public to make use of its emergency lines — 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668, and 09134448093 — for emergencies and security-related information.

The police reiterated that spreading false security information constitutes a serious offence and warned against the circulation of unverified reports capable of causing public anxiety and disrupting public order.

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#EnuguPolice#FakeNewsAlert#SecurityUpdate#Ezeagu#EnuguState