Akwa Ibom: Police, Education ministry move against student-driven fake news, cybercrime

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Tuesday raised the alarm over the growing spread of fake security alerts and cyber-related misconduct by students, as the Police and the Ministry of Education met with all secondary-school principals to roll out new safety measures across schools.

At the strategic meeting in Uyo, Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare expressed concern over rising incidents in which students fabricate and circulate false information, including doctored videos, fake kidnap alerts, and misleading social-media posts, deliberately aimed at causing panic and disrupting academic activities.

He warned that such acts constitute criminal offences under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act.

Azare disclosed that the Command had also recorded increasing cases of students engaging in impersonation, online bullying, internet fraud, scam schemes as well as cultism, drug abuse, bullying and other forms of misconduct within school environments.

To curb the trend, the CP announced that the Police would intensify patrols around schools, deploy more school-safety officers, and strengthen intelligence networks to ensure swift intervention.

“Any student caught fabricating or spreading harmful falsehoods, or engaging in cultism, bullying, drug abuse or cybercrime, will face appropriate legal action,” he warned.

The meeting also produced a set of directives for principals, including mandatory sensitisation on fake news and digital responsibility; immediate reporting of all security incidents; strengthening school monitoring teams and counselling units; improving oversight of students’ access to mobile phones; early identification of at-risk students; and cooperation with assigned Police Community Safety Officers.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining safe and conducive learning environments, promising stricter administrative oversight and expanded statewide awareness campaigns in partnership with the Police.

In her remarks, the Principal of Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Mrs. Emma Ubongabasi James, debunked a recent viral claim of a kidnap in the school, describing it as a social-media hoax created by a 15-year-old student “seeking clout.”

CP Azare reiterated that Akwa Ibom remains one of the safest states in the country and assured continuous collaboration with stakeholders to sustain secure and digitally responsible schools.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE