The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports of a fresh bandit attack in Ogbomoso and surrounding communities, describing the incident that caused widespread panic on Tuesday as a false alarm fuelled by misinformation.
Fear and confusion reportedly gripped residents of Ogbomoso and neighbouring Ajaawa Town after rumours spread that armed bandits had invaded parts of the area, including the vicinity of Are-Ago High School, Ogbomoso.
The panic led to students, teachers, traders and residents fleeing schools and business premises in fear of an impending attack. Viral videos circulating on social media showed students running for safety as tension escalated across the community.
Reacting to the development, the police said surveillance and patrol teams were immediately deployed to the affected area to verify the situation and forestall any breakdown of law and order.
According to a statement issued by the command, officers met with the principal of Are-Ago High School, Mrs Akanbi Ruth, who explained that the alarm started after some students claimed to have sighted unfamiliar persons behind the school fence.
The police noted that the report raised suspicion among staff and students, prompting anxiety within the school environment.
Preliminary investigations, however, revealed that the individuals in question included an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to the Kwara State Command and two civilians travelling in a Toyota Venza SUV.
The command stated that the visitors explained they were in the area to celebrate the birthday of the female occupant among them, while authorities of the NSCDC in Ogbomoso were contacted to verify the officer’s identity.
Police further disclosed that an altercation between some teachers and the visitors heightened suspicion within the school premises, leading students to spread unverified information to neighbouring schools and communities.
The statement added that the rumours quickly escalated panic across Ogbomoso and Ajaawa Town before security agencies established the true facts surrounding the incident.
In response, the police said patrol operations and visibility policing were intensified across the affected communities to reassure residents and restore public confidence.
The command confirmed that normal academic, commercial and social activities have since resumed in the area.
The police also warned residents against spreading false security reports and unverified information capable of causing panic and disrupting public peace.
According to the command, fake news and misinformation on security matters could undermine ongoing efforts to maintain safety and stability across the state.
The police urged residents, especially youths and social media users, to verify information through appropriate security agencies before sharing such reports online.
The command warned that individuals found deliberately spreading false information intended to incite fear or public disorder would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over security challenges in Ogbomoso and nearby communities following recent attacks by armed men in parts of Oriire Local Government Area.
Last Friday, gunmen reportedly invaded communities within the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota axis, abducting students and staff members from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The attack reportedly claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster, Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist, sparking outrage and renewed calls for improved security in the area.
