Police Detain IMSU Student for Faking Abduction, Death in Prank
The Imo State Police Command has detained a 17-year-old Imo State University (IMSU) student, Jesse Chidebere, for staging her own abduction and death as part of a social media prank.
In a statement released in Owerri on Tuesday, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Henry Okoye explained that the fabricated abduction had caused significant distress to both Chidebere’s family and the IMSU community.
The statement revealed, “On October 26, at approximately 10:00 p.m., police received a report from concerned citizens regarding Chidebere’s alleged disappearance. A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, advising her family to visit the Orji Police Station for confirmation.”
Following the report, police launched an immediate investigation. By the next morning, October 27, authorities discovered that Chidebere was safe and that the story had been concocted as a prank.
ASP Okoye noted that an investigation is ongoing to determine Chidebere’s motives, and she will face legal action. He added that Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma expressed dismay over the prank, which wasted valuable resources and incited public alarm.
He urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of such stunts, stressing that the command is committed to combating misinformation and maintaining public safety across the state.
