The incident did not occur within the Federal Capital Territory. Investigations revealed that it happened in Badna, New Karu in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State
By Moses Okorie
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that a serving military officer was attacked by suspected kidnappers within Abuja, clarifying that the incident occurred in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said investigations confirmed that the reported attack on Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude took place in Badna, New Karu, in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and not within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered an immediate investigation after becoming aware of online publications alleging that the incident happened in the Federal Capital Territory.
The investigation, the command said, established that the reports wrongly linked the attack to Abuja, thereby creating unnecessary panic among residents.
The police expressed concern over what it described as the deliberate misrepresentation of the incident by some blogs and media platforms in an effort to attract public attention.
“The incident did not occur within the Federal Capital Territory. Investigations revealed that it happened in Badna, New Karu in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State,” the statement said.
Despite confirming that the incident was outside its jurisdiction, the FCT Police Command said it had intensified security measures along border communities adjoining Nasarawa State.
The Commissioner of Police directed the immediate deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the border areas to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the FCT or carrying out unlawful activities within the nation’s capital.
The command also condemned the circulation of false and unverified security reports, urging media organisations, bloggers and social media users to verify information with relevant authorities before publication.
It warned that the spread of inaccurate reports could undermine public confidence, fuel unnecessary fear and complicate security efforts.
The police, therefore, appealed to residents of the FCT to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while continuing their daily activities.
The command further urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the FCT Police Command’s emergency lines.