FACEBOOK REPRESENTATION OF THE MOVEMENT FOR STATE POLICING IN OWERRI METROPOLIS

This study examined the Facebook representation of the movement for state policing in Owerri metropolis with theaim of determining the extent of public exposure to social media content on state policing, assessing how social mediaespecially Facebook representations influence public perception, and examining the relationship between Facebook representation and public support for the establishment of state policing. The study was anchored on the Agenda-Setting Theory. A survey research design was adopted, while the study was conducted in Owerri metropolis. The study population Based on the 2025 population estimate of 570,700 for Owerri Metropolis and DataReportal's reportedFacebook advertising reach of 15.9% of Nigeria's population, the estimated Facebook-user population of OwerriMetropolis was 90,741.from which a sample size of 395 Data were collected through a structured questionnaire,designed using survey monkey, distributed online to Facebook users living within Owerri metropolis and analysedusing frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that respondents were highly exposed toFacebook content on state policing, that Facebook representations significantly influenced public perception, and thata positive relationship existed between Facebook representation and public support for state policing. The studyrecommended improved dissemination of credible information, balanced media representations, and sustained digitalpublic engagement. It concluded that social media significantly shape public discourse, perception, and support forpolicing reforms in Nigeria.