Undergraduate arrested for staging own abduction, death

Police authorities in Imo State have taken 17-year-old Jesse Chidebere, an undergraduate at Imo State University (IMSU), into custody for allegedly fabricating her own abduction and death.

ASP Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer, announced the development in a statement issued in Owerri on Tuesday.

Okoye highlighted the distress caused by the hoax to both Chidebere’s family and the university community.

He detailed the events leading to her arrest: “On October 26, at approximately 10:00 p.m., police received a distress call from concerned citizens, reporting Chidebere missing.”

According to police, a message from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been kidnapped and killed, urging her family to visit the Orji Police Station for verification. Following this alarming report, officers initiated a search and found Chidebere safe the next morning, October 27, revealing that she had staged the incident as a social media prank.

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The PPRO stated that an investigation is underway to determine her motive, emphasizing that she would face legal consequences for her actions.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, expressed serious concern over the “irresponsible behaviour, which wasted valuable resources and caused public panic.” He urged parents to guide their children against participating in dangerous pranks and disseminating false information.

“The command remains committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the state,” he affirmed.

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