Police Confirm 38 Ivorians Arrested in Ogun Are Not Bandits

The Ogun State Police Command has cleared the air on reports of bandit attacks and invasions in the state. They said the recent arrest of 38 Ivorians in Atan-Ota is not linked to banditry or terrorism.

The command’s spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, shared this in a statement on Tuesday.

The police assured everyone that the state is safe and calm. This is in response to claims on social media about attacks on schools and communities in Ota, Ifo, and surrounding areas.

Oluseyi stated that there has been no bandit attack, kidnapping, terrorist activity, or any security issues at Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School, or in the Ijoko area, Fadunsin, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and nearby communities.

He explained that after seeing these reports, officers were sent to the areas to check the claims and reassure the people living there.

The police also mentioned that their School Protection Squad and divisional police officers did security checks at the schools mentioned in the reports.

"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 said.

Oluseyi expressed worry over the panic caused by the spread of unverified information. He assured the public that there is no need to panic.

He noted that checks across the affected communities showed that everyday life, including business and education, was going on without any threat to people or property.

He also clarified that the operation in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, which some social media posts linked to banditry, was focused on the arrest of 38 people from Côte d’Ivoire.

According to him, the group included 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35 years. They were found in an apartment during a police operation that was based on intelligence.

He pointed out that these individuals could not show any valid immigration or travel documents when questioned by the police.

Oluseyi added, "The suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria for online business activities. After the police finished their initial procedures, they were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate action based on immigration laws."

"At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers or terrorists arrested. Any claim linking these foreign nationals to banditry or any violent crime is completely false and can cause unnecessary panic," he said.

This news comes as worries about security in the South-West are rising after 42 students and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo State.

The police's statement comes just a week after they arrested a tailor, Qawiyu Oloyede, for allegedly making and sharing a fake video on social media. The video claimed that bandits had invaded Atan-Ota.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted that he staged the video to gain followers on TikTok and other platforms.

The false video caused panic among residents and raised fears of bandit activities in Ogun State.

The police warned the public against sharing unverified information that could cause fear and disorder.

The Ogun police urged everyone to check security information through official channels before sharing it. They warned against spreading rumors that could create panic.

The PPRO also assured residents that police officers are fully deployed across the state with regular patrols and intelligence-driven operations to protect lives and property.