Oyo Police Clears Up False Video About 300 Terrorists

The Oyo State Police Command has cleared up a viral video claiming that around 300 Lakurawa terrorists entered the state.

The Command said the video is false, misleading, and meant to scare people.

This was stated in a message released on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

Olayinka explained that a detailed forensic analysis and intelligence verification showed that the claims in the video are not true.

“The Oyo State Police Command, following a detailed forensic analysis and intelligence verification, has confirmed that the viral video claiming that about 300 Lakurawa terrorists moved into Oyo State is false, misleading, and deliberately made to cause fear and panic among the public,” the statement said.

The police added that a forensic review of the video found that the voice, thought to belong to Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, matched previous false information that the Command had already investigated and dismissed.

They noted that intelligence from operatives in border areas, along with early warning systems, showed no proof to back up the claims.

“Building on this discovery, further intelligence from operatives in border areas, supported by the Command’s strong early warning and response systems, found no evidence to support the claims in the video,” it said.

The Command also stated that a joint check with nearby police stations confirmed that the information was completely unfounded.

“In addition to these findings, a joint verification process carried out with nearby Police Commands independently confirmed that the information is completely unfounded,” the statement added.

It also mentioned that investigations found the video was not recorded in Nigeria and is not a recent event.

“Investigations also found that the video going around was not recorded in Nigeria and is not a recent event, further proving that the content was meant to mislead the public,” it said.

This report comes weeks after terrorists attacked three schools in the state and kidnapped over 40 teachers and students, raising fears about the spread of terrorism from the North to the southwestern states.

The Command warned people and groups against sharing false information that could threaten public peace and safety, saying anyone caught will face the law.

“In light of these developments, the Command warns individuals and groups against intentionally spreading misinformation that could threaten public peace and safety. Anyone found sharing false information aimed at causing panic or disrupting public order will be investigated and made to face the law,” it warned.

The statement also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to keeping peace and security in the state under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga.

It advised the public to trust only verified official sources for security news and to stay calm and obey the law.