Edo Police Debunk Alleged Kidnap of WASSCE Candidates at Green Park Academy

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Edo State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Green Park Academy, Benin City, were kidnapped.

The clarification comes in response to widespread panic triggered by the rumor, which gained traction across various social media platforms on Monday evening.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, described the report as unfounded and urged members of the public to disregard the misinformation.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary findings and verification carried out by security agencies revealed that no incident of kidnapping, attack, or security breach occurred at the school. He noted that all candidates who sat for the examination completed their papers successfully and returned home safely.

The police further stated that officers deployed to monitor examination activities across the state had not recorded any security incident at the institution, emphasizing that the rumor was the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to create fear and confusion among residents.

Similarly, the management of Green Park Academy strongly refuted the claim, describing it as fake news. The school authorities confirmed that all students remained safe and that the ongoing WASSCE examinations were proceeding smoothly and without disruption.

The management also disclosed that all candidates who sat for the examination on the day in question completed their papers peacefully and were safely dismissed, while students continued to attend subsequent examination sessions in a calm and secure environment.

The Edo State Police Command advised residents to verify information from credible and official sources before sharing it, warning that the spread of false information can cause unnecessary panic, undermine public confidence, and divert security attention from genuine concerns.

The Command reassured parents, guardians, students, and members of the public of its commitment to maintaining security across the state and ensuring the safety of candidates participating in the ongoing WASSCE examinations.