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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

No terrorist influx into Oyo, police insist

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Oyo State police command has debunked a viral video alleging the movement of 300 terrorists into the state, calling it false and fear-mongering.
  • A forensic review of the video indicated the voice overlay matched previously debunked false information.
  • The command warned against spreading misinformation that could undermine public peace and security, threatening legal action against offenders.

The Oyo State police command has officially refuted a viral video that falsely claimed approximately 300 Lakurawa terrorists had entered the state. Authorities described the video as a deliberate fabrication intended to incite fear and heighten tension among the public.

The Oyo State Police, following a comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification, has confirmed that the viral video alleging the movement of about 300 Lakurawa terrorists into Oyo State is false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to cause fear, panic, and heightened tension among members of the public.

— Olayinka AyanladeStating the police's findings on the viral video.

According to a statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the video was misleading. A comprehensive forensic analysis of the video revealed that the voice overlay, purportedly from an individual named Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, was identical to earlier false information previously investigated and dismissed by the command. This finding strongly suggested the video was designed to deceive.

Findings from the forensic review revealed that the voice overlay in the circulated video, purportedly credited to one Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, corresponds with earlier false information previously investigated and debunked by the command.

— Olayinka AyanladeExplaining the forensic analysis of the video's audio.

Further intelligence gathered from operatives in border communities, combined with enhanced early warning and response mechanisms, found no evidence to support the video's claims. A joint verification process with neighboring police commands also independently confirmed that the information was entirely unfounded. Investigations further established that the video was likely not recorded in Nigeria and was not a recent event, reinforcing the conclusion that its purpose was to mislead the public.

In addition to these findings, further intelligence gathered from operatives deployed across border communities, supported by the command’s strengthened early warning and response mechanisms, found no evidence to support the claim contained in the video.

— Olayinka AyanladeDetailing the intelligence verification process.

The command issued a stern warning to individuals and groups against disseminating misinformation that could jeopardize public peace and security. It stated that anyone found spreading false information intended to incite panic or disrupt public order would face the full weight of the law. The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security and public confidence in the state.

Investigations also established that the video currently in circulation was neither recorded in Nigeria nor is it a recent occurrence, further reinforcing the conclusion that the content was designed to mislead the public.

— Olayinka AyanladeProviding further evidence about the video's origin and timing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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