By Adesakin Adefemi
The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area, describing the claim as false and without any factual basis. Police said the alarm caused panic and temporarily disrupted activities at Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Thursday after a woman rushed into the school premises, alleging that bandits had arrived in the area. The unverified claim triggered fear among students and teachers.
Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer in Oke-Oyi Division mobilized personnel to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents. Officers were deployed immediately to verify the claim and maintain order.
A thorough assessment of the area found no evidence of any attack or security breach in the community. Police confirmed there was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits, and no security incident within the school or anywhere in Oke-Oyi community or Kwara State.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the reckless dissemination of false security alerts. He said such actions create unnecessary fear, disrupt public activities, and divert security resources from genuine emergencies.
Adekimi disclosed that the command had begun efforts to identify the individual responsible for triggering the alarm. He said the person, upon identification, would be invited for questioning and made to face the full weight of the law under provisions relating to false information and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.
The police boss warned residents against circulating rumours or unverified reports on security matters. He emphasized that spreading unverified information, particularly on sensitive security issues, undermines public confidence and safety.
While urging members of the public to remain vigilant, the command advised residents to verify information through appropriate channels and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. Police assured that adequate measures remain in place to safeguard lives and property across the state.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting communities and urged the public to cooperate by providing credible information only through official channels. Police said community vigilance must be balanced with responsibility to avoid causing panic.
