The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly spreading false information about a purported bandit attack in Lamini Community, Ido Local Government Area of the state, which claimed that six residents had been killed.
The Command said the arrests followed an intelligence-driven investigation into a voice note that circulated widely on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, alleging that armed bandits had invaded the community and killed six people.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the report generated widespread fear, panic, and apprehension among residents and members of the public.
According to the statement, police authorities swiftly deployed patrol and tactical teams to the Lamini Community and surrounding areas to verify the claim and reassure residents.
“Following a thorough assessment and on-the-ground verification, it was conclusively established that the purported bandit invasion and killing of six persons never occurred,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, subsequently directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the origin and dissemination of the false report.
The investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the controversial voice note to Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was arrested by operatives.
“During interrogation, the suspect admitted to authoring and circulating the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the information,” the police disclosed.
Further investigations revealed that the false alarm allegedly originated from one Mulikat Bashiru, who reportedly raised the unfounded claim within the community.
“She was thereafter identified, traced, and arrested in connection with the matter. Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any other persons involved in the creation or propagation of the false narrative,” the statement added.
The Command condemned the deliberate spread of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, describing such actions as a serious threat to public order, national security, and peaceful coexistence.
“The deliberate spread of false information, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation is a serious threat to public order, national security, and peaceful coexistence. Such actions are capable of triggering panic, undermining public confidence, disrupting socio-economic activities, and diverting critical security resources away from genuine emergencies,” the statement said.
The police further warned that misinformation undermines collective efforts to maintain security across the state.
“Misinformation and disinformation do not merely mislead the public; they constitute a direct attack on our collective resolve to build a secure and peaceful society. At a time when security agencies, community leaders, and law-abiding citizens are working collaboratively to sustain the prevailing security gains across Oyo State, the deliberate circulation of false narratives serves only to create unnecessary fear, weaken public trust, and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit public anxiety and confusion,” the Command stated.
The Oyo State Police Command urged residents to exercise caution and responsibility when using social media and other communication platforms, advising members of the public to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing it.
The Command also warned that anyone found deliberately originating or spreading false information capable of causing public disorder would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Residents were encouraged to report emergencies through the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line, 615, or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413. #Securitynewsalert.com
