FIC Report (Bayelsa State) – Yenagoa, June 5, 2026 — The Bayelsa State Police Command has debunked reports of a bandit attack in parts of the state, describing the alarm that triggered widespread panic on Thursday morning as false and baseless.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Command clarified that the confusion stemmed from a misleading social media post alleging that militants had captured bandits and were demanding a ransom of N50 million per captive in the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, preliminary investigations traced the source of the panic to a Facebook post by a user identified as Sen Promise Etete JP. The post sparked fear among residents, particularly in Ogbunagha, Polaku, and surrounding communities, leading to a rush by parents to withdraw their children from schools.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, promptly responded by deploying operational units, including the School Protection Squad, Tactical Teams, and the Drone Unit, to the affected areas for assessment and to restore public confidence.
The police presence covered Ogbuna, Polaku, Sabagreia, Kaiama, and adjoining communities, with visits to key institutions such as Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama; Gbarainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri; and Fun-Tari Academy, Sabagreia.
Following the intervention, normalcy has been fully restored, with residents resuming their daily activities without disruption. The Command has also initiated confidence-building patrols and continues to monitor the situation.
The Police urged members of the public to disregard unverified information and refrain from spreading content capable of inciting panic. Citizens were advised to rely on official communication channels for accurate security updates.
The Command further encouraged residents with useful information to report to the nearest police station or contact its emergency lines: 0703 457 8208 or 0916 732 2691.
The Police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Bayelsa State.
Ayayeibo Duncan Zuobom.
Assistant Chief Information Officer.
FIC Yenegoa, Bayelsa
June 5th 2026
