A 17-year-old female student of the Imo State University, Owerri, Jesse Chidebere, has been arrested by the Orji Police Divisional Headquarters for faking her abduction and death.

The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, on Monday, in a statement, disclosed that the hoax caused “significant distress to her family and the university community.”

It read, “Last Saturday, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidebere missing. A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, urging her family to go to the Orji Police Station for confirmation.

In response, police operatives launched a search and discovered on Sunday that Chidebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank on social media. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain her motives for such mischief and she will certainly face prosecution.”

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, expressed concern over the behaviour he described as “irresponsible, which wastes valuable resources and causes public panic.” He urged parents to caution their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation.

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