The Ogun State Police Command on Friday urged residents of the state to desist from circulating unverified information that could lead to unnecessary panic and heighten anxiety over unsubstantiated claims of a planned bandits’ invasion of some communities in the state.
The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made the appeal while reacting to a media report which said that local hunters in Odeda Local Government Area of the state had raised fresh alarm after suspected kidnappers allegedly sent threat letters to communities, warning of planned abductions of schoolchildren.
Babaseyi said that while residents should be vigilant and security conscious, the state command currently has no credible intelligence to confirm the authenticity of the alleged planned bandits’ invasion of communities in the state.
He further disclosed that the command has not left anything to chance, as it has strengthened its intelligence gathering, intensified patrols, and deployed personnel strategically across the state to enhance collaboration with local hunters, vigilantes, among others, to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
He explained that, “The Ogun State Police Command has noted the circulation of unverified security reports in some parts of the state and states that there is currently no credible intelligence confirming the alleged threats.
“Nevertheless, the Command has continued to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, patrols, and strategic deployments across the state in collaboration with local hunters, vigilantes, and other security stakeholders to sustain peace and public safety.
“The visible police presence, prompt response to incidents, and operational successes recorded across Ogun State remain clear indicators of the effectiveness of the Command’s proactive and intelligence-driven security approach.
“Residents are therefore advised to remain calm, vigilant, and refrain from spreading unverified reports capable of creating unnecessary panic.”
The state command had on Thursday warned that a video circulating online showing the arrest of suspected kidnappers in Ijebu-Igbo was old footage from 2024 and not recent.
The public was advised to disregard misleading claims and verify information before sharing.
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