False Bandit Attack Rumour Sparks Panic in Ilorin Community, Police Assure Residents

 

 

A false alarm alleging a bandit invasion and student abduction at Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi, on Thursday triggered widespread panic among residents, parents and students in parts of Ilorin East and West Local Government Areas of Kwara State.

The rumour, which spread rapidly in the early hours of the day, claimed that armed bandits had stormed the school and abducted several students, prompting anxious parents and residents to rush to the area to withdraw their chikdren and wards from schools, while many students fled for safety.

However, the Kwara State Police Command swiftly dismissed the report as baseless, describing it as false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary fear and public disorder.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Command said it received reports of panic and commotion around the school at about 9:15 a.m. following claims that suspected bandits had invaded the premises.

According to her, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oke-Oyi Division immediately mobilised officers to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff and residents.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Oke-Oyi Division, promptly mobilised personnel to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff and residents,” the statement said.

The police investigation revealed that the panic was triggered by a woman who ran into the school premises raising an alarm that bandits had arrived in the community.

“The unverified claim triggered panic among students and teachers, resulting in a temporary disruption of academic activities,” Ejire-Adeyemi explained.

She stressed that security operatives thoroughly assessed the situation and found no evidence of any bandit attack or security breach.

“The Command’s assessment of the situation confirmed that the report was entirely false and without any factual basis. There was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits and no security breach within the school or anywhere in Oke-Oyi community or Kwara State,” she stated.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, condemned the circulation of false security alerts, warning that such actions create unnecessary panic and divert security resources from genuine emergencies.

He noted that the spread of unverified information, particularly on security matters, undermines public confidence and can destabilise communities.

The police also disclosed that efforts have commenced to identify the woman responsible for the false alarm, adding that she would be questioned and prosecuted if found culpable under relevant laws relating to the dissemination of false information and acts capable of breaching public peace.

CP Adekimi urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and responsible in sharing information, advising members of the public to verify security-related reports through appropriate channels before disseminating them.

He further encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation or other security agencies.