(Police. Photo by Premuim Times)
The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Oke-Oyi community as false and misleading, warning that whoever is responsible for spreading the alarm will be identified and prosecuted.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, panic erupted around 9:15 a.m. on Thursday after reports emerged claiming that suspected bandits had invaded the Government Girls Secondary School in Oke-Oyi.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area swiftly mobilized personnel to verify the claim and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents.
Investigations revealed that the scare was triggered by a woman who reportedly ran into the school premises claiming bandits had arrived in the community.
The unverified claim caused widespread panic among students and teachers, temporarily disrupting academic activities before security operatives confirmed there was no actual threat.
The command stated that its assessment found the report to be entirely baseless, with no evidence of any bandit attack, sighting, or security breach anywhere within the school, the community, or the wider state.
Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi condemned the spread of false security information, warning that such actions risk creating unnecessary fear, eroding public confidence in security agencies, and diverting critical resources away from genuine emergencies.
The command disclosed that efforts are underway to identify the individual responsible for raising the false alarm, who will be questioned and face appropriate legal consequences in line with provisions governing the spread of false information and conduct likely to disturb public peace.
Police urged residents to remain vigilant but calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and instead confirm security-related reports through official channels while promptly reporting any genuinely suspicious activity to the nearest police formation.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining adequate security measures across the state.