The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that bandits invaded schools and communities in parts of the state, insisting that there has been no security breach in the affected areas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, described the claims as false and misleading, assuring residents that Ogun remains peaceful and secure.
The command said investigations carried out after the reports surfaced showed that there were no incidents of bandit attacks, kidnappings, terrorism or any other form of violent crime in communities such as Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo and surrounding areas.
Oluseyi stated that police operatives were immediately dispatched to the locations mentioned in the reports to verify the claims and reassure residents.
As part of the response, the command deployed its School Protection Squad and divisional police officers to conduct security assessments in the schools referenced in the reports.
“The exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure and fully operational. School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson expressed concern over the anxiety created by the circulation of what he described as unverified security information, stressing that there was no reason for residents to panic.
According to him, assessments carried out across the affected communities showed that businesses, schools and other daily activities were continuing normally without any threat to lives or property.
Oluseyi also addressed reports linking the arrest of 38 foreign nationals in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, to banditry, clarifying that the operation had no connection with terrorism or violent criminal activities.
He explained that the suspects, 19 men and 19 women aged between 25 and 35, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation and were identified as nationals of Côte d’Ivoire.
Preliminary screening, he said, revealed that the individuals could not provide valid immigration or travel documents.
Oluseyi added, “The suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria for online business activities. Upon conclusion of preliminary police procedures, they were duly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with extant immigration laws and protocols.
“At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers or terrorists arrested. Any attempt to link the arrested foreign nationals to banditry or any violent criminal activity is entirely false, misleading and capable of creating unnecessary panic and disturbing public peace.”
The clarification comes amid growing public concern over insecurity in parts of the South-West following the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
The police also recalled that a week earlier, a tailor identified as Qawiyu Oloyede was arrested for allegedly creating and sharing a fake video claiming that bandits had invaded Atan-Ota.
According to the command, the suspect admitted during interrogation that the video was staged to gain followers on TikTok and other social media platforms.
The video sparked widespread fear among residents and contributed to rumours of bandit activity in parts of Ogun State.
The command warned against the spread of false or unverified security information, urging members of the public to confirm such reports through official channels before sharing them.
Oluseyi further assured residents that police personnel had been strategically deployed across the state through regular patrols, intelligence-driven operations and other proactive measures aimed at safeguarding lives and property.