The Imo State Police Command has detained 17-year-old Jesse Chidebere, a student at Imo State University (IMSU), for allegedly faking her own abduction and death.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday in Owerri.

According to Okoye, the hoax caused significant distress to Chidebere’s family and the university community. On October 26, police received reports about Chidebere’s disappearance, accompanied by a message from her WhatsApp account claiming she had been abducted and killed. The message prompted her family to visit the Orji Police Station for confirmation.

Following a swift investigation, police operatives discovered on October 27 that Chidebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank. The PPRO confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine her motives, and she will face prosecution.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Aboki Danjuma condemned the act as “irresponsible,” stating it wasted valuable resources and caused public panic. He urged parents to warn their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation, reaffirming the command’s commitment to ensuring safety and combating false narratives in the state.