Police Arrest ‘Aza Woman’ for Spreading False Kidnap Report on Social Media

‘Aza Woman’ Uzebor Emmanuel

Police Arrest ‘Aza Woman’ for Spreading False Kidnap Report on Social Media

Benin City, Nigeria – The Edo State Police Command has arrested a popular social media personality, Uzebor Emmanuel, widely known as “Aza Woman,” for allegedly fabricating and circulating a false kidnap report that threw residents of Benin City into a state of fear. The arrest, confirmed on Saturday, June 6, 2026, ends a multi-day manhunt for the influencer, whose viral videos claimed a mass kidnapping of students from two local schools. Authorities have since confirmed the story was a complete hoax.

According to a statement from the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the trouble began when Uzebor Emmanuel posted a series of alarming claims on her social media accounts. In the viral posts, “Aza Woman” alleged that six persons had been abducted from various mini-transport buses operating in Benin City. She further claimed that the victims included students from Green Park Academy, Aduwawa, and Western Boys’ College, Ikpoba Hill. Additionally, she stated that some of the abducted victims miraculously escaped, while others only gained their freedom after ransom payments were made to their captors. The posts spread like wildfire across Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, triggering widespread panic among parents and residents who feared a new wave of abductions had hit the state.

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The Edo State Police Command initially dismissed the claims on June 4, 2026, releasing a statement that debunked the kidnapping story as baseless. An immediate investigation was launched, and a manhunt for the creator of the false content began. “Our preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect knowingly circulated misleading information,” ASP Ikoedem stated. “No such kidnapping incident occurred at the mentioned schools. The report was entirely fabricated.” Operatives successfully tracked down Uzebor Emmanuel, and she was taken into custody. The police confirmed she is the person behind the “Aza Woman” social media handle.

In a strongly worded statement, the Edo State Police Command condemned the act, highlighting the severe consequences of spreading false information related to public safety. According to the police, the deliberate spread of the false kidnap report was capable of inciting panic and disrupting public order, diverting security resources away from genuine emergencies, and eroding public confidence in the state’s security framework. “The security of a state should never be jeopardized for views, engagement, online relevance, or any other form of social media gratification,” the police statement read. The command warned other social media users against leveraging fake security alerts for clout, adding that such actions constitute a serious offense with far-reaching legal consequences.

ASP Ikoedem confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Upon their conclusion, Uzebor Emmanuel will be charged in court under relevant sections of the law, likely including offenses related to cybercrime and the dissemination of false information. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, urged citizens to always verify information from credible and official sources before sharing. He reiterated that the command remains committed to ensuring that those who threaten public order with falsehoods face the full wrath of the law. This case adds to a growing list of arrests in Nigeria for fake news, echoing a similar incident in Osun State where a 22-year-old man was recently arrested for falsely claiming bandits had invaded the state.