The Command is surprised at a social media post by one Chika Nwoba, in which he alleged the emergence of a new terror group in the State claiming that scores of persons were kidnapped, with about 100 victims currently being held in captivity.
The Command condemns this yellow journalism and wonders why Mr. Nwoba should base his story on a telephone conversation with a family member of one of the alleged victims.
The Command hereby condemns this falsehood which is baseless, misleading, and capable of unnecessarily creating fear and panic among residents of the State.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Command wishes to clarify the incident referred to in the said conversation.
On 28 July 2026, one Okemini Ogbonna reported to the Command that his three brothers had left home on 27 July 2026 to watch a football match but did not return home. He subsequently received a message purportedly from a group calling itself “Bloody Vampires”, claiming that his brothers were in their custody and threatening to kill them if the State Government failed to pay the sum of five million United States dollars within 62 hours.
Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command immediately commenced investigation and mobilised efforts to trace the source and activities associated with the telephone number used in making the threat. The investigation led to a location around the Ogun State Correctional Centre.
In the course of the investigation, the command's operatives encountered a victim who had also been targeted by members of the same syndicate using a similar modus operandi to extort money from him. Upon realising that he was dealing with scammers, the victim threatened to report the matter to the Police. Subsequently, an acquaintance of the victim, who had been used by the syndicate in furtherance of their scheme, emerged from a neighbouring village where he had been hiding.
The Command had notwithstanding this development, continued its investigation into the matter, and remains committed to getting to the root of the incident, identifying all those involved and bringing them to justice.
The Command, however, considers it necessary to state that the claim that over 100 Ebonyi indigenes are being held captive, or that scores of persons have been kidnapped in Izzi Local Government Area, without any corresponding reports, incidents or widespread security concerns within the State, is a gross exaggeration and an allegation taken too far.
The Command therefore urges Mr. Chika Nwoba to provide credible evidence to substantiate his claims or desist forthwith from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary fear and apprehension among members of the public.
The Ebonyi State Command remains committed to maintaining the peace and security of the state. Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, psc, mnips, the Command will continue to work tirelessly, in collaboration with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders, to protect lives and property and ensure that Ebonyi State remains safe and peaceful.
Members of the public are further urged to rely on verified information from the Police and other credible authorities and to promptly report suspicious activities or genuine security concerns to the command.
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