The Edo State Police Command and the management of Green Park Academy, Benin City, have debunked the alleged kidnapping of students of the school.
DAILY POST reports that both parties debunked the allegation in separate statements made available to newsmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Benin City.
While the management of the school described the information as a false and malicious rumour, it noted that the students were alleged to have been kidnapped on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at the school.
According to a statement signed by the management, “We wish to strongly debunk a false and malicious rumour circulated yesterday evening, alleging that students who came to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at our school were kidnapped.
“We state categorically that this report is a total falsehood and completely baseless. There was no incident of kidnapping, attack, or security breach of any kind at Green Park Academy yesterday.
“All candidates completed their examination peacefully and were safely dismissed by 4:45 p.m. and arrived home safely to their families. Our internal security personnel, alongside local law enforcement, were fully on duty before, during, and after the examination.
“Furthermore, as of the time of this publication today, June 3, 2026, all our students are fully present on the school premises and are currently sitting for today’s scheduled examinations (Civic Education and Agricultural Science) in a calm and secure environment.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. We have already notified the relevant security agencies and WAEC officials regarding this malicious publication to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down,” the management said.
It, however, appealed to parents, guardians, students, and the general public to completely disregard the fake news and desist from sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.
On its part, the Edo State Police Command alleged that the false narrative was propagated by a woman popularly known as “Azawoman”.
In a statement, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, noted that the narrative had generated unnecessary concern among members of the public.
She said the Command had commenced steps to apprehend the originator of the false report for questioning and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws.
Ikoedem explained that the source of the allegation was uncovered following a thorough verification and preliminary investigation by the Command.
She said the investigation established that no kidnapping incident occurred at the school as alleged.
“The Edo State Police Command has become aware of a misleading and unfounded report circulating on social media alleging that students of Green Park Academy, Aduwawa, Benin City, were kidnapped.
“The false narrative, which is being propagated by a woman popularly known as ‘Azawoman,’ has generated unnecessary concern among members of the public.
“Following a thorough verification and preliminary investigation by the Command, it has been established that no kidnapping incident occurred at the school as alleged.
“Findings reveal that the report is entirely false, lacks any factual basis, and was deliberately disseminated to misinform the public and create unwarranted panic within the state.
“The Command strongly condemns the reckless spread of false information capable of undermining public confidence, causing fear among residents, and diverting attention from genuine security concerns. Such actions constitute a threat to public order and will not be tolerated.
“Consequently, the Command has commenced steps to apprehend the originator of the false report for questioning and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws,” she stated.
She said the Command urged members of the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in their use of social media by verifying information through credible and official sources before sharing it.
Ikoedem added that the Command also encouraged the public to report security-related concerns through appropriate channels to enable prompt verification and response by law enforcement agencies.
