Imo Police Debunks Claims of Herdsmen Arson at Nekede Student Hostel

The Imo State Police Command has officially refuted widespread allegations concerning an attack on a student residential facility by individuals suspected to be herdsmen, labeling the entire account as baseless.

DSP Henry Okoye, who serves as the spokesperson for the command, issued this clarification on Sunday. His statement came in response to various reports that had been circulating on Facebook, detailing the alleged incident. The online narratives had claimed that over 80 students became trapped inside a hostel, which was purportedly set ablaze by suspected herdsmen in the vicinity of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.

According to Okoye, the circulating report is completely untrue, deceptive, and has the potential to generate unwarranted fear among residents. He urged the general public to disregard these false claims and to refrain from disseminating unverified information, cautioning that such content could provoke apprehension, panic, or civil unrest.

Furthermore, the command appealed to citizens to consistently verify the authenticity of any information through official and trustworthy sources before sharing it on social media platforms or other mediums. The police statement, dated July 5, 2026, elaborated:

“The Imo State Police Command has noted a misleading publication circulated on Facebook today, 5th July, 2026, alleging that Fulani herdsmen set a student hostel in Nekede, Owerri, on fire, trapping over 80 students inside the burning building. The command wishes to state unequivocally that the report is entirely false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents. The command therefore urges members of the public to disregard the false publication and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of causing fear, panic, or public disorder. Citizens are advised to always verify the authenticity of information through credible and official sources before sharing it on social media or other platforms. The Imo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and will continue to provide timely and accurate information on matters relating to public safety.”