The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bandit invasion in Oke Oyi, Moro Local Government Area, describing the incident as a false alarm that sparked unnecessary panic among residents and students.
Tension gripped the community on Thursday morning after rumours circulated that armed bandits had entered the area.
The reports quickly spread around Government Girls Secondary School, causing fear among students, teachers and nearby residents. Academic activities were briefly interrupted as many rushed to safety.
According to the police, information about the alleged attack reached authorities around 9:15 a.m., prompting an immediate response. Security personnel were deployed to the school and surrounding locations to assess the situation and ensure public safety.
Investigations later revealed that the scare began when a woman reportedly entered the school premises claiming that bandits had arrived in the community. The unverified information spread rapidly, triggering confusion and concern.
After examining the situation, police found no evidence of criminal activity or any security threat within Oke Oyi or its environs.
“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,” the police stated.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of unconfirmed security reports, warning that such misinformation can cause public fear and distract security agencies from genuine emergencies.
Authorities have launched efforts to identify the individual responsible for the false alarm. The command warned that anyone found culpable would face legal consequences.
“The person, upon identification, will be invited for questioning and made to face the full weight of the law in accordance with extant legal provisions relating to the spread of false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace,” the statement added.
Residents were advised to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing it and to remain calm as security agencies continue to monitor the area.
