The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State has arrested a man from Esit Eket Local Government Area. He was arrested for sharing a social media post that made residents of Eket and nearby areas feel scared.
The police named the suspect as Akaninyene Udo, who is also known as “AK Philo” on social media.
On Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Timfon John, said the arrest followed an investigation into a viral post. The post included the message, “Eket get ready for us,” and showed a picture of an armed bandit.
Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, stated that the post caused a lot of concern among the people and led to security investigations.
“The suspect was apprehended following investigations into a viral social media post in which he circulated a threatening message stating, ‘Eket get ready for us,’ accompanied by an image of an armed bandit,” the statement noted.
When PREMIUM TIMES checked Mr Udo’s Facebook page on Monday, they found a photo with the caption “Eket get ready for us.” There was also a message saying, “JESUS… U people should not come to Eket oooo. Eket is a peaceful land ooooo… Akwa Ibom is a peaceful land.” But the police shared a photo showing a different message that read, “Jesus…Everybody should be alert.”
In response to PREMIUM TIMES’s question about the difference, Ms John said that the investigations showed Mr Udo changed the post’s caption after he heard the police were looking for him.
The statement added that investigations are complete and the suspect will soon face charges in court. It also mentioned that efforts are ongoing to find and arrest other people who might have helped spread the post.
The command warned people against creating, sharing, or publishing unverified security alerts. They said that such actions could cause panic among the public and are criminal offences that could lead to prosecution.
This is not the first time the police in Akwa Ibom have arrested people for social media posts. In January, they arrested a woman, Godsown Udoito, for a post that they said defamed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that a month later, the police declared a lawyer and the spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress in Akwa Ibom wanted. They accused him of defaming Governor Eno and also cited charges of cyberstalking, threats to life, and criminal intimidation.
The police assured residents that the security situation in Akwa Ibom is calm and under control. They said, “The security situation across the State remains calm, stable, and under control, while the Police and other security agencies continue to maintain vigilance and deploy proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.”
The command urged the public to confirm security information through official channels before sharing it. They also encouraged people to follow the law and report any suspicious activities or real security concerns to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
The police said they are committed to keeping peace, security, and safety for everyone in the state.
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