Kwara Police dismiss Oke-Oyi bandit alert, threaten prosecution over false alarm

The Kwara State Police Command has debunked reports of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi and surrounding communities, describing the information as false and capable of causing unnecessary panic.

 

The Command said it received a distress report at about 9:15 a.m. indicating that suspected bandits had invaded Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi, leading to commotion and fear among students and staff.

 

According to the police, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oke-Oyi Division immediately mobilised personnel to the scene to verify the claim and ensure the safety of the school community and residents.

 

Preliminary findings, however, showed that the alarm was triggered by a woman who allegedly rushed into the school premises claiming that bandits were in the area. The claim was not verified before it spread, causing panic and temporary disruption of academic activities.

 

The Command confirmed that there was no bandit attack, no sighting of armed criminals, and no security breach within the school or anywhere in Oke-Oyi or its environs.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of false security information, warning that such actions create fear, disrupt public order and can divert security attention from genuine threats.

 

He stressed that the dissemination of unverified security reports undermines public confidence and poses risks to ongoing security operations across the state.

 

The Command also announced that it has begun efforts to identify the individual responsible for the false alarm, adding that the person will be invited for questioning and prosecuted in line with laws governing false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

 

Residents were urged to remain calm, vigilant and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports, while being encouraged to report suspicious activities through appropriate security channels.

 

The police reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Kwara State, assuring residents that adequate security measures remain in place to ensure public safety.