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Kwara Police Dismiss Bandit Invasion Rumour in Oke-Oyi, Launch Probe into False Alarm
The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi, describing the claim as false and misleading.
According to the command, panic erupted on Thursday morning at Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi, after rumours spread that armed bandits had entered the community and were approaching the school.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command said it received reports of the incident at about 9:15 a.m. and immediately deployed officers from the Oke-Oyi Division to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff and residents.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the panic was triggered by a woman who allegedly ran into the school premises claiming that bandits had arrived in the area. The unverified report caused fear among students and teachers, leading to a temporary disruption of academic activities.
However, the police said its findings confirmed that there was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits, and no security breach in the school, Oke-Oyi community, or any part of Kwara State.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of false security alerts, warning that such actions could create unnecessary fear, cause public disorder and divert security personnel from genuine emergencies.
He noted that the dissemination of unverified information on security matters undermines public confidence and could have serious consequences for public safety.
The police command disclosed that efforts are underway to identify the individual responsible for raising the false alarm, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in line with existing laws relating to the spread of false information and conduct capable of breaching public peace.
Residents were urged to remain calm, avoid spreading rumours and verify security-related information through appropriate channels before sharing it.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring residents that adequate security measures remain in place to guarantee their safety.