The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports of bandit attacks and invasions of schools and communities in parts of the state, saying the recent arrest of 38 Ivorians in Atan-Ota was unrelated to banditry or terrorism.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Babaseyi Oluseyi.
According to the police, the state remains safe, calm and secure despite claims circulating on social media alleging attacks on schools and communities in Ota, Ifo and neighbouring areas.
Oluseyi said there had been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity or any form of security breach in Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School in the Ijoko axis, Fadunsin area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo and adjoining communities.
Following the reports, police operatives were deployed to the affected locations to verify the claims and reassure residents.
The command said its School Protection Squad and divisional police officers also carried out security assessments in the schools mentioned.
The statement said: “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.”
Oluseyi expressed concern over the tension generated by what he described as unverified security information and assured residents that there was no cause for alarm.
He said findings from assessments across the affected communities showed that commercial, academic and social activities were progressing normally without any threat to lives or property.
The police spokesman further clarified that an operation conducted in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, and linked by some social media users to banditry, involved the arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the command, the suspects comprised 19 males and 19 females between the ages of 25 and 35.
They were reportedly found in an apartment during an intelligence-led operation and could not produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.
Oluseyi said: “The suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria for online business activities.Nigerian culture blog
“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.”
He added: “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 heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of the South-West following the abduction of 42 students and teachers in Oyo State.
The command also recalled the recent arrest of a tailor, Qawiyu Oloyede, who allegedly produced and circulated a fake video claiming bandits had invaded Atan-Ota.
Also Read:Ogun police confirm TikToker Mirabel in custody after false rape claim
Adelabu sister,twin sons kidnapped in Ibadan
According to police, the suspect admitted during interrogation that the video was staged to attract followers on TikTok and other social media platforms.
The command warned residents against sharing unverified security information and urged members of the public to rely on official channels for security updates.
Police further assured residents that officers and personnel had been fully deployed across the state through sustained patrols, intelligence-led operations and other proactive measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
