Following investigations, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has ascertained that the incident in Kalekana on October 8, was in no way linked to human trafficking or abduction.

The incident resulted in a 22-year old mechanic sustaining injuries and his vehicle being damaged.

Seven people were charged following the incident.

On that day, Kalekana settlement resident damaged a vehicle after claims that the car was allegedly involved in the alleged abduction of children in the area. Pictures and videos of this alleged act were widely shared on social media last week.

Police Commissioner Brigadier- General Sitiveni Qiliho said after investigations six men and a juvenile aged between 17 to 56 years have been charged for various offences which include assault, assault causing actual bodily harm, damaging property, theft and receiving stolen property, as car parts were stripped and given to others and later recovered by investigators.

“A total of 12 people were brought in for questioning with seven charged, and more expected to be brought in soon,” Brigadier- General Qiliho said.

“I continue to urge members of the public not to be easily swayed by what they read on social media or from unbalanced articles which do not give stakeholders the opportunity for a right of response,” he said.

“These articles are intended to create fear and panic and usually with the ulterior motive of gaining social media popularity and followers.

“I reiterate once again, the Fiji Police Force will never intention- ally not inform or alert the general populace of a crime trend that is a threat to their safety.”

Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho.

He said since the release of an official statement correcting the misconception of missing persons linked to abduction, social media posts claiming incidents of alleged abduction attempts had reduced significantly.

“This is testament of the fact that such posts in the absence of an official Police report will remain nothing more than fear mongering and a cowardly attempt to create panic for personal gain, that being social media popularity and public attention.”

He said Fijians had nothing to fear about.

“Our doors remain open for any individual, group or organization who seek clarity on these issues as we will be more than happy to sit down and provide statistics rather than publicly engage in a public commentary in the hope of avoiding unnecessary panic.

“Unless those who claim to be victims of abduction attempts come forward to allow investigations to be conducted, the claims will remain nothing more than just a hoax, and people are asked to disregard such posts and be assured that the Fiji Police Force will investigate all claims if information is provided.”

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