As DHQ dismisses claims of terrorist base in South-West
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports of an alleged bandit invasion in Ogbomoso and Ajaawa communities, describing the incident as a false alarm fuelled by misinformation and unverified claims circulated among residents and on social media.
In a press statement yesterday, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said panic broke out across parts of Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities after rumours emerged alleging that suspected armed bandits had attacked the area and invaded the vicinity of Are-Ago High School in Ogbomoso.
The PPRO said the police immediately deployed surveillance and patrol teams to the affected locations to verify the claims and prevent any possible breakdown of law and order.
He explained that operatives met with the school principal, Akanbi Ruth, who disclosed that the alarm began after some students reported seeing unfamiliar individuals behind the school fence, triggering suspicion among teachers and students.
“However, preliminary investigations later revealed that the persons involved were an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to the Kwara State Command, Ilorin, and two civilians who arrived in a Toyota Venza SUV.
“He said the visitors explained that they were in the area to celebrate the birthday of the female companion among them. Authorities further contacted relevant NSCDC officials in Ogbomoso to verify the identity and status of the officer involved.”
The statement added that an altercation between some teachers and the visitors reportedly heightened tension within the school premises, while students subsequently spread unverified information to neighbouring schools and surrounding communities, escalating panic before the actual facts were established.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that there was no bandit attack, invasion, or any form of security breach in the affected areas as falsely portrayed,” the statement read.
The police noted that visibility policing and patrol operations had since been intensified across the affected communities to reassure residents and maintain peace, adding that normal academic, commercial and social activities had resumed.
The command also warned against the spread of fake news and unverified security reports, stressing that such actions could create unnecessary panic, disrupt socio-economic activities and undermine ongoing security efforts in the state.
It cautioned social media users and youths against forwarding unconfirmed reports, warning that individuals found deliberately spreading false information capable of inciting fear or public disorder would be investigated and prosecuted according to the law.
The state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbemiga, urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while cooperating with security agencies through timely and credible information sharing.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims of the existence of a terrorist base in the South-West, assuring Nigerians that ongoing operations are targeted at rescuing abducted victims and neutralising criminal elements.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made the clarification in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, extended his condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as families of victims affected by the recent attack on some schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
He described the abduction of innocent children and staff as reprehensible, assuring that the Armed Forces were deploying all necessary resources to ensure their safe and unconditional rescue.
“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims,” he said.
Onoja urged Nigerians to remain calm, united and continue to support security agencies with credible information.
He said the military had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation in the Old Oyo National Park, neutralising criminal elements operating within the area.
According to him, current intelligence does not support claims of any established or structured terrorist base in the South-West region.
“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region.
“The Armed Forces caution against narratives capable of creating unnecessary panic or emboldening criminal elements,” he said.
The defence spokesman disclosed that troops had already made contact with the perpetrators and were sustaining pursuit operations across forest corridors.
He added that joint operations involving other security agencies and local vigilantes were ongoing to flush out criminal elements and restore normalcy.
He emphasised that community cooperation remained critical, noting that human intelligence from residents would aid ongoing rescue efforts.
“The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
