Police Arrest Two Over False Bandit Attack Claim in Oyo Community

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two individuals over the alleged circulation of false information claiming that bandits invaded Lamini Community in Ido Local Government Area and killed six residents.

The Command said the claim, which spread rapidly through a viral WhatsApp voice note and other social media platforms, caused panic and tension among residents before security agencies confirmed it was untrue.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Command immediately deployed patrol and tactical teams to Lamini Community and surrounding areas to verify the report, reassure residents, and restore calm.

According to him, “the purported bandit invasion and killing of six persons never occurred,” adding that the information was completely unfounded and misleading.

Following preliminary verification, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered a full-scale investigation into the origin and circulation of the voice note. This led to the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to the false alarm.

The police explained that intelligence-led investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the voice message to Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was subsequently apprehended.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted that he circulated the message without confirming its authenticity.

Investigators also identified another individual, Mulikat Bashiru, as the person who initially raised the alarm within the community before it was amplified and widely shared online.

The Command condemned the spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could endanger public safety and undermine security operations.

It noted that false reports of violence often trigger unnecessary panic, disrupt socio-economic activities, and divert security personnel from genuine threats.

The police further stressed that misinformation creates opportunities for criminals to exploit fear and confusion among the public.

Residents were therefore urged to verify sensitive information from credible and official sources before sharing it on social media or messaging platforms.

The Command warned that anyone found culpable of spreading false information capable of causing public disorder would be prosecuted under existing laws.