The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a man accused of spreading false information on social media by claiming that a military helicopter dropped suspicious items in a bush between Nimo and Adazi-Nnukwu communities in Anaocha Local Government Area.
The claim, which circulated widely online on Thursday, sparked fear among residents and raised concerns about security in the area.
Confirming the arrest on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was apprehended by residents of the affected communities, led by the President-General, before being taken into police custody.
According to Ikenga, investigations showed that the suspect did not witness any helicopter landing as claimed.
“The individual who recorded and circulated the video has been arrested and interrogated. He is currently being held in custody,” Ikenga said.
He added, “Investigations revealed that he recorded the video from a house near CKP and was nowhere near the location he claimed in the video.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that during questioning, the suspect admitted that he fabricated the story after relying on unverified information.
“During interrogation, he admitted that he never saw any helicopter land and that he fabricated the story based on hearsay,” Ikenga stated.
He explained that community leaders carried out independent checks across the area and found no evidence to support the viral claim.
“Everyone they spoke with confirmed that no helicopter landed or hovered over Okudugbo. A helicopter merely flew over the area, as has happened on several occasions in the past,” he said.
Ikenga noted that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation over allegations of spreading false information and causing public panic.
He urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it on social media.
“While we must always remain vigilant and promptly report genuine security concerns to the appropriate authorities, we should also ensure that information is verified before sharing it widely, so as not to create unnecessary fear and panic,” he added.
