Residents of the state have been asked by the Anambra State Police Command to carry on with their regular activities and not to become alarmed by allegations that a sit-at-home order may be issued on Friday.
The command denied the rumour and advised state citizens to disregard the untrue information.
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Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s spokesman, claimed in a statement on Friday that some “mischief makers” were to blame for spreading fake security warnings and messages as well as altered old footage to incite unrest and fear in the state.
This follows the chaos that occurred in several marketplaces in Onitsha and Nnewi where business operations were halted due to bullets that were allegedly fired by unidentified gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home directive.
There have been rumours across the state that some unknown gunmen have directed residents, traders, and schools to sit at home and remain indoors on Friday (today).
This created palpable tension across major cities of the state including Awka, Nnewi, and Onitsha.
It was gathered that the development made traders at the markets in the communities, who had earlier opened for business immediately close shops while parents were also said to have stormed various schools to pick up their children.
But reacting to the development, Ikenga, dismissed the report, saying it was the handiwork of mischief makers sharing false security alerts.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command today 7/7/2023 has observed with great dismay, the mischievous act of persons sharing false security alerts/messages, and doctored old videos of security incidents to cause tension/panic in the state.
“Given the above, the command shall invoke relevant cyber laws on persons found wanting in this regard.
“Meanwhile, the Command has noted that the confidence reposed on us by Ndi Anambra in the protection of lives and properties shall not be taken for granted.
“The police with other security forces have intensified patrols, improved security dominance and surveillance in the state.
“In the event of any request for security service, members of the public are advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number at 07039194332 or the Public Relations Officer PRO at 08039334002.
“The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively.”
