The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging bandit attacks on schools and communities in Ota, Ifo and other parts of the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The Command also clarified that the recent arrest of 38 foreign nationals in Atan-Ota was unrelated to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism or any other violent crime, contrary to reports making the rounds online.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, following widespread panic triggered by viral messages alleging that armed bandits had invaded communities around schools in Sango-Ota and neighbouring areas.
The reports, which spread rapidly across WhatsApp and other social media platforms, reportedly caused many parents and guardians to leave their businesses and rush to schools to pick up their children, leading to heavy traffic along major routes, including Idiroko Road, Sango Roundabout and Oju-Ore.
Reacting to the development, Babaseyi said security personnel were immediately deployed to the affected areas to verify the claims and reassure residents through increased patrols and security checks.
According to him, there was no incident of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism or any security breach anywhere in Ogun State, including the locations mentioned in the viral reports.
He explained that investigations and security assessments conducted across the affected communities confirmed that academic, commercial and social activities continued without disruption and that there was no threat to lives or property.
The police spokesperson added that the Command’s School Protection Squad, working with divisional police officers in the affected areas, carried out detailed inspections of the schools referenced in the reports.
The exercise, he said, confirmed that all the schools were safe, fully operational and conducted their activities normally throughout the day.
The Command expressed concern over the panic caused by the circulation of unverified information and urged residents to verify security-related reports through official channels before sharing them.
On the arrest of the foreign nationals, Babaseyi disclosed that an intelligence-led operation in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, led to the arrest of 38 citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, comprising 19 males and 19 females between the ages of 25 and 35.
According to him, the individuals were found in an apartment and were unable to provide valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that they entered Nigeria for online business activities. Following initial police procedures, they were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary administrative action.
Babaseyi stressed that the operation had no connection with banditry, terrorism or any form of violent criminal activity.
He warned that attempts to link the arrested foreign nationals to insecurity were misleading and capable of causing unnecessary fear among residents.
The police assured residents of Ota, Ifo, Atan-Ota, Ijoko, Sango-Ota, Agbado and surrounding communities that officers remain on the ground carrying out intelligence-driven operations and routine patrols to safeguard lives and property.
The Command urged members of the public to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, reiterating that Ogun State remains peaceful and secure.