Police Secure Hoax Spreader Related To The Discovery Of Toddler's Body In Bangkep

PALU - Satreskrim Polres Banggai Kepulauan (Bangkep), Central Sulawesi, arrested two social media account owners who were proven to spread false news or hoaxes and provocations related to the discovery of the body of a female toddler in Bone Baru Village, North Banggai District.

"We have arrested two Facebook account owners who were proven to be spreading hoaxes and provocations related to the discovery of a corpse in Bone Baru," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bangkep Police, AKP Makmur, in his statement received in Palu, Antara, Friday, February 7.

The two account owners were secured in their respective homes after the Bangkep Police Cyber team carried out cyber patrols and found uploads containing hoax elements and provocations.

Both were then taken to the Banggai Police Headquarters for further questioning. He said the two perpetrators made and spread information that was not in accordance with the actual facts, some were even speculative and cornered certain and provocative parties.

"This is of course very disturbing to the public and can interfere with the investigation process being carried out by the police," he said.

During the examination, the two perpetrators admitted their actions and regretted spreading false information and making clarifications, as well as an open apology for their actions that have caused unrest in the community.

Previously, a female toddler with the initials HA (5) who had been reported missing for 3 days was found dead in Bone Baru Village, on Tuesday (4/2).

Meanwhile, Public Relations of the Banggai Police, Brigadier Fideramos Islands, added that the Banggai Islands Police Criminal Investigation Unit team is working hard and conducting intensive investigations to reveal the facts and exact causes of this incident.

The Banggai Islands Police have conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene (TKP), collected relevant evidence, and asked for information from related witnesses.

"Currently, the police have not been able to find evidence that there are signs of violence, because the condition of the body when it was found was rotting. We also continue to coordinate with the hospital waiting for the results of the post-mortem et repertum," he said.

Therefore, he appealed to the public not to be easily trusted and provoked by information with unclear sources, especially those with hoaxes and entrusting the handling of this matter to the police.