Residents, Management of River Park Estate, Abuja deny planned gunmen attack

Residents and Management of popular River Park Estate in Lugbe axis of Abuja, have denied of planned gunmen attack on the estate which has gone viral, saying the report has been investigated and there was no such thing happening.

The management of the Estate was reacting to a viral video claiming that an armed attack was underway at River Park Estate earlier on Saturday the 20th, which sent panic through the community, adding that the truth behind the incident is far less dramatic – and far more disturbing. Residents, grappling with the fallout of the hoax, are now calling for, increased vigilance, responsible social media use, and a renewed focus on shared responsibility for security.

The video, titled “Gunmen At Riverpark Estate Right Now,” sparked panic among residents and beyond. However, a resident Moses Okezie-Okafor, a lawyer present at the police station during the subsequent investigation, revealed the shocking truth, saying, the supposed victim, who didn’t even live in the Estate, orchestrated an elaborate scheme to scam money from his friend, a River Park resident.

Mr. Okezie-Okafor’s lamented the irresponsibility of some persons due to pursuit of money, adding that it was a criminal act that the law must take its course.

He said: “From the account of the arrested persons, including the alleged ‘victim’, he had disappeared for days, checked into a hotel with a female companion, and claimed abduction by captors who were demanding money.

“His friend, believing the story, invited the ‘captors’ who turned out to be two young men – a taxi driver and his friend – to collect the ransom at the Estate entrance. Once they agreed and were en route, he quickly reported the matter to the River Park Division of the Nigerian Police which set up an ambush for the suspected kidnappers, resulting in the scene captured in the video.”

Also another resident who was identified as Mr Tunde expressed regreat at the panic caused by the hoax.

Mr Oghale, advised the alarmist not to put the lives of another residents at risk because “you want to resolve a personal issue. There are different stories flying around and the image of this estate has been tarnished”, he said.

Meanwhile, the legal practitioner, Okezie called on residents of River Park to unite when it comes to the issue of security, insisting security is everyone’s responsibility.

He wrote. “This incident serves as a valuable lesson in the importance of trust, critical thinking, and collective action in maintaining a secure and thriving community.”

“While the immediate threat may have been a hoax, the lessons learned from this incident will have long-lasting implications for River Park Estate and beyond. Only through vigilance, responsible action, and a renewed commitment to shared responsibility can communities effectively combat misinformation and maintain a safe and secure environment for all.

“The River Park Estate hoax exposed vulnerabilities beyond security systems. It revealed the need for trust within the community and the potential for social media to exacerbate panic and damage reputations.

“Residents now urge themselves and management to work together to rebuild trust, promote responsible information sharing, and prioritize proactive security measures.”