The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that a serving military officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, was attacked by suspected kidnappers within Abuja, clarifying that the incident occurred in neighbouring Nasarawa State and not in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said investigations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, confirmed that the incident took place in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to the statement, the police commenced an in-depth investigation immediately after becoming aware of the publications circulating online. Findings revealed that contrary to reports by some blogs and media platforms, the alleged attack did not occur within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command.
The Command expressed concern over what it described as the deliberate misrepresentation of the incident by some media outlets in a bid to attract public attention, warned that such inaccurate reports create unnecessary panic, heighten public anxiety and misinform residents of the nation’s capital.
To strengthen security along the FCT boundaries, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate deployment of operational and intelligence assets to border communities adjoining Nasarawa State. The move, according to the Command, is aimed at preventing criminal elements from infiltrating the Federal Capital Territory or carrying out any criminal activities within Abuja.
The police also condemned the dissemination of false and unverified security reports, urging media organisations, bloggers and social media users to adhere to the principles of responsible journalism by verifying security-related information with relevant authorities before publication.
The Command stressed that the spread of unverified reports undermined public confidence and fuels unnecessary fear among residents.
It further appealed to residents of the FCT to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while continuing their daily activities, encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency communication channels.
