Oyo Police Arrest Suspects after investigations found reports of a deadly bandit attack in Lamini Community were false
Oyo State Police Command, led by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, has arrested Pastor Amos Muyiwa and resident Mulikat Bashiru over the alleged circulation of false reports claiming that bandits killed six people in Lamini Community, Ido Local Government Area.
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The arrests followed an investigation into widely shared WhatsApp messages and social media posts alleging that armed bandits had invaded the community and carried out a deadly attack.
According to the police, officers and tactical teams were immediately deployed to Lamini Community after the reports surfaced, amid growing concern among residents about the area’s security situation.
Investigators later established that no such attack had occurred.
Speaking on the development, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said intelligence gathering and forensic analysis traced the viral voice message to Pastor Amos Muyiwa, who allegedly admitted sharing the information without verifying its accuracy.
Further investigations linked the origin of the claim to Mulikat Bashiru, who was subsequently arrested by law enforcement officers.
The case has drawn attention to the growing challenge of misinformation, particularly when false security alerts spread rapidly across digital platforms.
Police authorities said both suspects are cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to determine whether additional individuals were involved in creating or distributing the report.
A notable aspect of the investigation was the swift deployment of security personnel to verify the claims and reassure residents, helping to prevent further anxiety within the community.
The command described misinformation and disinformation as serious threats capable of undermining public confidence and diverting valuable security resources from genuine emergencies.
Ayanlade warned that false reports can trigger unnecessary panic, disrupt social and economic activities, and place avoidable pressure on security agencies already responding to legitimate threats.
Investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fabricated bandit attack claim.
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Residents were urged to verify sensitive information before sharing it and to use social media responsibly, especially when matters of public safety and security are involved.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
