The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Ogbomoso and Ajaawa communities, saying the panic that spread on Tuesday morning was triggered by a misunderstanding involving a security officer and two civilians near a school.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said surveillance and patrol teams were deployed after rumours of an attack on Are-Ago High School began circulating, in order to verify the claims and restore calm.
He said preliminary findings showed the alarm began after some students sighted unfamiliar individuals near the school fence, raising suspicion within the school environment.
According to him, the individuals were later identified as an NSCDC officer attached to the Kwara State Command and two civilians, who arrived in a Toyota Venza SUV.
Olayinka said the group explained they were visiting for a birthday celebration, adding that relevant NSCDC authorities were contacted for verification. He noted that a brief altercation between teachers and the visitors escalated tensions, leading to widespread rumours and panic across nearby communities.
“Consequently, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that there was no bandit attack, invasion, or any form of security breach in the affected areas as falsely portrayed”. Olayinka said.
He added that patrols and visibility policing have been intensified to restore normalcy.
