The Edo State Police Command has apprehended a popular TikToker, Uzebor Emmanuel, widely known online as 'Aza Woman,' for allegedly fabricating and disseminating a false report concerning the mass abduction of students in Benin City.
False Claims of Student Kidnappings
The suspect had claimed in viral social media posts that several students were kidnapped on June 3, 2026, from Green Park Academy in Aduwawa and Western Boys’ College on Ikpoba Hill. Confirming the arrest to journalists, the Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, stated that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect knowingly spread the false information across various social media platforms.
Details of the Fabricated Report
According to the police, Emmanuel’s viral posts falsely alleged that at least six individuals were forcefully abducted using commercial mini-transport buses, that some victims had successfully escaped from their captors, and that other families had paid cash ransoms to secure releases. The police image maker noted that these unfounded publications generated widespread apprehension, heightened public anxiety, and threatened to undermine public confidence in the security architecture of Edo State.
Legal Proceedings and Public Advisory
Ikoedem stated that the suspect remains in custody and will be officially charged in court as soon as the ongoing investigation is concluded. In light of the incident, Ikoedem advised members of the public to exercise restraint and demonstrate responsibility when using digital platforms. She urged citizens to rigorously verify information from credible, official sources before sharing, and to refrain from using social media to distribute falsehoods capable of disrupting public peace and order.
