Police clear 38 foreigners of any banditry links in Ogun

The Ogun State Police have rejected claims of bandit attacks on schools and neighborhoods in Ota and Ifo areas. They also confirmed that 38 foreigners recently arrested in Atan-Ota are not connected to any violent crime.

In a statement on Tuesday from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police said the reports circulating on social media about bandit attacks in Ota, Ifo, and nearby areas are false.

“The Command states clearly that there has been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity, or any form of security breach anywhere in Ogun State, including Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School (Ijoko axis), Fadunsin Area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and other nearby communities,” the statement said.

After the reports spread, police operatives were sent to the locations to check the claims and reassure the locals. The command said its School Protection Squad worked with Divisional Police Officers to assess security at the schools mentioned.

“The exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure, and fully operational. School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure,” the statement added.

The police expressed worry over the panic caused by these reports and urged residents not to spread unverified information.

The command also explained the situation regarding the arrest of 38 foreign nationals in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota. According to the police, the suspects, which included 19 males and 19 females from Côte d’Ivoire, are between 25 and 35 years old and were arrested based on credible intelligence.

“The individuals were found in an apartment following credible intelligence and were unable to produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening,” the statement said.

The suspects told investigators that they came to Nigeria for online business activities. “Upon conclusion of preliminary police procedures, they were duly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with current immigration laws and protocols,” the police stated.

The command emphasized that the arrest had nothing to do with banditry, kidnapping, or terrorism.