Ogun police debunk false bandit attack reports, assuring residents that schools and communities across Ota and Ifo remain safe and secure

The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging bandit attacks on schools and communities in the Ota and Ifo axis of the state, insisting that Ogun remains peaceful, secure and free from any security breach.

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The command also clarified that the recent arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire in Atan-Ota was related to immigration violations and had no connection to banditry, kidnapping or terrorism.

Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command conducted immediate verification exercises after the reports began circulating online.

According to Babaseyi, police operatives were deployed to all locations mentioned in the claims, including Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School in the Ijoko area, Fadunsin Area, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado and Ifo.

He said the investigations confirmed that no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity or security breach occurred in any of the affected communities.

“The entire state remains safe, calm and secure,” Babaseyi said.

The command further disclosed that its School Protection Squad worked alongside Divisional Police Officers in the affected areas to assess security conditions in the schools referenced in the reports.

The assessment found that all schools remained fully operational, with academic activities continuing uninterrupted throughout the day.

Babaseyi expressed concern over the widespread circulation of what he described as false and misleading information, warning that such reports could create unnecessary fear and anxiety among residents.

He said coordinated checks across the affected communities showed that commercial, academic and social activities were proceeding normally, with no threat to lives or property.

Addressing claims linking recently arrested foreign nationals to insecurity in the state, the police spokesman said 38 citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, comprising 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota.

According to him, the individuals were unable to provide valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening and claimed they entered Nigeria for online business activities.

Following initial investigations, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action in line with immigration laws.

Babaseyi stressed that the operation had no connection to banditry or any violent criminal activity.

“At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers or terrorists arrested,” he said.

The police spokesman described attempts to associate the foreign nationals with security threats as false and capable of disrupting public peace.

He urged residents to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing it, noting that responsible communication is essential to effective security management.

Babaseyi also commended residents for their vigilance and continued support for law enforcement agencies, assuring the public that police officers remain actively deployed across the state through patrols, intelligence-driven operations and other proactive security measures.

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The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and advised residents across Ota, Ifo, Atan-Ota, Ijoko, Sango-Ota, Agbado and neighbouring communities to continue their lawful activities without fear.