Police dismiss reports of bandit invasion in Kwara community

The Kwara State Police Command has officially refuted claims of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi, located in the Ilorin East Local Government Area. The command issued a stern warning against the dissemination of false information that could incite panic and public disorder.

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Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Oke-Oyi Division, promptly mobilised personnel to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents.

The incident that triggered the alarm occurred around 9:15 a.m. when reports emerged of suspected bandits entering the area. This news caused immediate fear among residents and disrupted activities at the Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi. Police personnel were promptly dispatched to the scene to verify the claims and ensure the safety of the community.

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The unverified claim triggered panic among students and teachers, resulting in a temporary disruption of academic activities.

According to the command's spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, preliminary investigations revealed the alarm was unfounded. A woman reportedly rushed into the school premises, claiming bandits had arrived, which led to panic among students and teachers. However, a thorough assessment found no evidence of any attack or security breach within the school or the wider Oke-Oyi community.

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The command’s assessment of the situation confirmed that the report was entirely false and without any factual basis.

Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi condemned the reckless spread of false security alerts, emphasizing that such actions can create unnecessary fear and divert critical security resources from genuine emergencies. The police are actively working to identify the individual responsible for the false alarm, who will face legal consequences for spreading information likely to cause a breach of public peace. Residents are urged to remain vigilant but cautioned against circulating unverified rumors.

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The dissemination of unverified information, particularly on sensitive security matters, undermines public confidence and may divert critical security resources from genuine emergencies.