The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that bandits invaded Oke-Oyi, a community in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state, describing the information as false and misleading.

The command warned residents against spreading unverified security reports capable of causing panic and disrupting public order.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the rumour sparked fear among residents and led to a temporary disruption of activities at Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi.

The police spokesperson explained that the incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. when reports circulated that suspected bandits had entered the community. In response, the Divisional Police Officer of Oke-Oyi Division immediately deployed officers to the area to verify the report and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents.

However, investigations later revealed that the alarm was baseless.

According to the police, the panic began after a woman reportedly rushed into the school premises claiming that bandits had arrived in the area. Her unverified statement triggered fear among students and teachers, leading to a temporary suspension of normal academic activities.

Following a thorough security assessment, the command confirmed that there was no evidence of any bandit attack, security breach, or suspicious activity within the school or the wider Oke-Oyi community.

“The report was entirely false and without any factual basis. There was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits, and no security breach anywhere in Oke-Oyi or any part of Kwara State,” the statement said.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of false security alerts, warning that such actions could create unnecessary fear among residents and distract security agencies from responding to genuine emergencies.

He stressed that the circulation of unverified information on security matters undermines public confidence and wastes valuable security resources.

The police commissioner further disclosed that efforts were already underway to identify the individual responsible for the false alarm. He noted that anyone found culpable would face legal consequences in line with laws relating to the dissemination of false information and actions capable of breaching public peace.

The Kwara State Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and responsible when sharing information, especially on security-related issues. Residents were advised to verify reports through credible channels and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

The command reassured citizens that adequate security measures remain in place across the state to protect lives and property.

Caption

Panic briefly gripped Oke-Oyi in Kwara State after rumours of a bandit invasion spread through the community. However, police investigations found no evidence of any attack, describing the report as completely false. Authorities have now launched efforts to identify the source of the alarm. Read the full story below.