A fresh round of panic spread across Owerri on Tuesday after online posts alleged that a fully loaded 14-seater bus heading to Aba had been hijacked by gunmen. The claims travelled quickly, helped by a video already familiar to many residents. But the Imo State Police Command moved fast to counter the story, insisting that no such abduction occurred on the busy Aba road.
The issue gained attention because the corridor remains one of the state’s most sensitive security routes, connecting Owerri city centre to Ngor Okpala and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport. The road has recorded episodes of violent attacks over the years, particularly during periods of heightened movement by fleeing gunmen.
The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, issued an official clarification after the reports spread widely. According to him, the circulating video was not related to any current event on the route. He explained that security operatives conducted an on-the-spot review of the area, led by the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, in the company of Army and community vigilante personnel. Okoye maintained that no passenger abduction was reported to the command as of 6pm on Tuesday.
Part of the statement released by the command read, “People should disregard that trending video; it is an old clip being recycled. The Police, Army, and Vigilante operatives are on the ground to ensure the safety of travellers.”
The police clarification came at a time when other security-related concerns were developing. Public records showed that an advance team belonging to the convoy of Abia State Governor Alex Otti was attacked earlier in the day. The Imo command acknowledged awareness of the incident but noted that it had not received any formal report from its Abia counterpart.
Despite the official position, anxiety remained noticeable among some Owerri residents. Local sources insisted that an abandoned commuter bus was seen along Aba road in Ngor Okpala on Tuesday morning, prompting renewed fears in communities that have witnessed sporadic ambushes in recent years. The concern was amplified by the long stretches of bushland that make the road vulnerable during early-morning and late-evening movements.
Facebook posts by residents also added to the tension, with some individuals stating that they altered their travel plans after receiving multiple informal alerts from contacts familiar with the axis. The uncertainty mirrored previous moments in the state when conflicting information between social media posts and institutional records created confusion for travellers.
Security agencies have repeatedly dealt with similar episodes in the South East, where old videos or unrelated incidents are often circulated during periods of heightened tension. The Nigerian Police Force and other security institutions have previously warned that such recycled clips frequently trigger avoidable panic and force emergency deployments that strain ongoing operations.
As of Tuesday night, the police command maintained that movement along Aba road remained under surveillance, with joint patrol teams positioned across strategic points. The area continues to hold economic significance for commuters travelling between Imo and Abia, especially those heading toward the airport or adjoining rural communities.
