Social media reports alleging a planned infiltration, kidnapping and attack on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and its environs are false, Enugu State Police Command said Monday.
THE WHISTLER reports that tension engulfed the campus, weekend, following reports of suspicion infiltration of the campus by some alleged Fulani commercial riders. The suspicion was preceded by some voice notes alleging imminent attacks on the campus by some bandits.
The state police command, in a release by its Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described the report as “false, misleading, and deliberately intended to incite fear and panic within the university community and surrounding areas”.
Ndukwe said, “Intelligence and threat assessments conducted by the command have revealed no credible information or trend suggesting any planned attack or security threat to the university community. Moreover, in collaboration with the university authorities and other security agencies, the command has emplaced adequate security measures within and around the institution and will continue to strengthen them as necessary to ensure the safety of lives and property.”
The command identified the perpetrators of the false report as “a criminal syndicate operating under the guise of “Anonymous” and other social media aliases’.
“They have repeatedly circulated similar alarmist claims over the years to incite fear, cause public panic, and undermine peace and security in the state. However, intelligence-led investigations are ongoing to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for spreading the false information and their collaborators,” the statement read.
The university had earlier reacted to what it termed “a social media post currently circulating online alleging an impending terrorist attack and mass abduction of students on the Nsukka campus”.
Inya Egwu, UNN’s PRO, stated that there was no “credible security intelligence or verified threat to the University of Nigeria that supports the claims contained in …”.
Egwu said, “The information being circulated is therefore unsubstantiated and should not be regarded as factual. Nevertheless, in line with its commitment to the safety and security of staff, students and visitors, the university has taken additional precautionary measures to further strengthen security on campus. These measures include the deployment of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army at key entry points to complement the efforts of the University Security Unit.”
He said some access gates to the Nsukka campus would be temporarily closed to enhance the monitoring and regulation of movement into and out of the university. The university also suspended motorcycle operations within the campus till further notice.
The PRO said, “No motorcycle will be permitted beyond the university gates except those belonging to authorised security personnel. Staff who commute to work on motorcycles are advised to park them at designated locations outside the campus perimeter before proceeding to their offices.”
He urged parents, guardians, students, staff and members of the public not to spread unverified information capable of creating unnecessary anxiety, panic or disruption. He also encouraged members of the university community to be vigilant and security-conscious, adding that, “Any suspicious person, movement or activity should be promptly reported to the University Security Department or the nearest security agency”.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
