The Kaduna State Police Command has denied a report circulating on social media that between 150 to 200 individuals were kidnapped along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
According to the Command, the report is entirely fabricated and without any basis in fact.
“We categorically state that this report is entirely fabricated and without any basis in fact,” the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday.
Hassan said there has been no recorded incident of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway in the past two years, thanks to the tight security measures in place.
He noted that the area is under constant surveillance and regular patrols by the police, military, DSS, and other security forces in the state.
The police spokesman quoted the state Commissioner of Police to have warned individuals and media outlets against disseminating false information, which could incite unnecessary panic and disrupt public order.
Hassan added that the Command was taking the matter seriously and might invite individuals or media outlets found responsible for spreading false information for questioning and possible prosecution.
The statement continued that the state government in collaboration with security forces and agencies, had been working to ensure the safety and security of all persons and properties.
The police urged the public to rely only on verified and official sources of information.
The statement entitled: ‘Kaduna State Police Command Debunks Fake News on Alleged Kidnapping of 150-200 Along Abuja-Kaduna Highway,’ read:
“The attention of the Command has been drawn to a false and misleading report currently circulating on social media, reported by ‘Diaspora Digital Media’, claiming that between 150 to 200 individuals were kidnapped along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
“The Command categorically states that this report is entirely fabricated and without any basis in fact. To set the record straight, there has been no recorded incident of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway in the past two years.
“The area remains under constant surveillance and is regularly patrolled on a 24hrs basis by the Police, Military, Dss and other security forces under tight security to ensure the safety of all commuters.
“The Commissioner of Police, strongly warns individuals and media outlets against the dissemination of such falsehoods. These misleading reports are capable of inciting unnecessary panic and disrupting public order.
“Furthermore, the Command is taking this matter seriously. Online Media Channels or individuals found responsible for originating or sharing such fabricated information without sources or basis will be invited for questioning, thoroughly investigated, and may face prosecution in accordance with the law.
“The State government in collaboration with the security forces and agencies in the state have been working assiduously to ensure safety and security of all persons and properties.
“The Kaduna State Police Command remains committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents and urges the public to rely only on verified and official sources of information.”
