The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area, warning against the spread of false information capable of causing panic and public disorder.
The command also said it had begun efforts to identify and prosecute the individual responsible for triggering the alarm, which temporarily disrupted activities at Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. after reports emerged that suspected bandits had invaded the area, prompting fears among residents and members of the school community.
Adetoun said officers were immediately deployed to verify the claim and ensure the safety of residents.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Oke-Oyi Division, promptly mobilised personnel to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents,” she said.
The police, however, said investigations showed that the alarm was unfounded.
“Preliminary findings revealed that the alarm emanated from a woman who reportedly rushed into the school premises claiming that bandits had arrived in the area.
“The unverified claim triggered panic among students and teachers, resulting in a temporary disruption of academic activities,” she added.
The spokesperson said a thorough assessment of the situation found no evidence of any attack or security breach in the community.
“The command’s assessment of the situation confirmed that the report was entirely false and without any factual basis.
“There was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits, and no security breach within the school or anywhere in Oke-Oyi community or Kwara State,” Adetoun added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned what he described as the reckless dissemination of false security alerts, saying such actions could create unnecessary fear and divert security attention from genuine threats.
He said, “The dissemination of unverified information, particularly on sensitive security matters, undermines public confidence and may divert critical security resources from genuine emergencies.”
The police boss disclosed that steps were already being taken to identify the source of the false alarm.
“The person, upon identification, will be invited for questioning and made to face the full weight of the law in accordance with extant legal provisions relating to the spread of false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace,” Adekimi said.
While urging residents to remain vigilant, the command cautioned against circulating rumours or unverified reports on security matters.
It advised members of the public to verify information through appropriate channels and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, assuring residents that adequate measures remain in place to safeguard lives and property across the state.
