Man arrested for false helicopter claim in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has said that the man behind the viral security claims circulated on social media, alleging that a military helicopter dropped unknown items in a bush between Nimo and Adazi-Nnukwu communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, has been arrested.

Recall that the claims, which spread rapidly on Thursday, raised concerns among residents and triggered public anxiety over possible security threats in the area.

In response, the police dismissed the report, describing it as a “false alarm” capable of causing unnecessary panic and undermining public confidence in the state’s security network.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect behind the claims was arrested by residents of the affected communities, led by the President-General, on Thursday.

Ikenga said the suspect is currently in custody, adding that investigations revealed he recorded the video from a house.

He said, “The individual who recorded and circulated the video has been arrested and interrogated. He is currently being held in custody.

“Investigations revealed that he recorded the video from a house near CKP and was nowhere near the location he claimed in the video.

“During interrogation, he admitted that he never saw any helicopter land and that he fabricated the story based on hearsay.

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“The PG, accompanied by his security team, went round our community and neighbouring towns to verify the claims. Everyone they spoke with confirmed that no helicopter landed or hovered over Okudugbo.

“A helicopter merely flew over the area, as has happened on several occasions in the past. It appears this individual simply saw an opportunity to create sensational content and gain attention on social media.

“He is expected to be handed over to the Police Criminal Investigation Department to face further investigation for allegedly spreading falsehood and causing unnecessary panic across our community and neighbouring towns.”

According to Ikenga, leaders of neighbouring communities have also expressed displeasure over the needless alarm and anxiety caused by the suspect’s actions.

“This update is being shared to keep everyone properly informed. While we must always remain vigilant and promptly report genuine security concerns to the appropriate authorities, we should also ensure that information is verified before sharing it widely, so as not to create unnecessary fear and panic,” he added.

PUNCH Online reported on Thursday that the Anambra State Police Command had dismissed the viral security claims circulating on social media, alleging that a military helicopter dropped unknown items in a bush between Nimo and Adazi-Nnukwu communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

The command described the alert as a “false alarm” capable of causing unnecessary panic and undermining public confidence in the state’s security network.

In an official statement released on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area to verify the claims after the report surfaced online.