Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that suspected Lukarawa terrorists have infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.
The Command, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said intelligence reports and security assessments available to the police do not support claims of any terrorist presence or movement within the affected areas.
According to the statement, a video and accompanying voice note being shared across social media platforms were intended to create fear and panic among residents.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to address and clarify a video and accompanying voice note currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park,” the statement said.
“The Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis. Comprehensive intelligence assessments and security reports available to the Command do not support nor suggest the existence of any such terrorist movement or infiltration within the areas mentioned.”
The police further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the video was not recent but an old clip that had been recycled and misrepresented to fuel public anxiety.
“Preliminary investigations further reveal that the video being circulated is not recent. Rather, it is an old video that has been in circulation for some time and is being deliberately recycled and misrepresented to create fear, panic, and apprehension among residents of Oyo State,” the Command stated.
While assuring residents that there is no credible intelligence indicating the presence of the terrorist group in the state, the police said proactive measures have nevertheless been taken to strengthen security across vulnerable locations.
According to the Command, intelligence and covert operatives have been strategically deployed to border communities and other sensitive areas within the axis to reinforce existing security arrangements and improve early warning capabilities.
The police said the operatives are working closely with traditional institutions, local security outfits, hunters, vigilante groups, community intelligence networks and other stakeholders to boost intelligence gathering and ensure swift responses to any emerging threats.
The Command also announced an increase in visibility policing, confidence-building patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across Ogbomoso, the Old Oyo National Park corridor and neighbouring border communities.
It noted that the measures are designed to reassure residents, deter criminal activities and sustain peace and security in the area.
The police urged residents, particularly those in rural and border communities, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security agency.
Expressing concern over the growing spread of fake security alerts on social media, the Command warned that the dissemination of false information could undermine public confidence, disrupt economic activities and divert security resources from genuine threats.
“The dissemination of false security information is not only irresponsible and unethical but also constitutes a criminal offence punishable under extant laws,” the statement read.
“Individuals who deliberately originate, publish, or circulate false information with the intent to cause public alarm, incite fear, or destabilize the peace and security of the State are hereby warned to desist forthwith.”
The Command further stressed that it would pursue and prosecute individuals found responsible for spreading falsehoods capable of threatening public peace and security.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, will leave no stone unturned in identifying, investigating, arresting, and prosecuting any individual or group found culpable of spreading falsehoods capable of jeopardizing public peace and security.”
Reassuring residents, the police maintained that there is currently no credible intelligence suggesting the presence of the alleged terrorist group in Oyo State.
“The Command reassures residents of Oyo State that there is currently no credible intelligence indicating the presence or infiltration of the purported terrorist group within the State. Citizens are therefore advised to remain calm, go about their lawful activities without fear, and rely solely on verified information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other recognized security agencies.”
The Command urged members of the public to disregard the viral video and voice note and continue supporting security agencies through responsible information sharing and vigilance.
