…Declare schools and communities safe
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging bandit attacks on schools and communities in the Ota and Ifo areas of the state, assuring residents that there has been no security breach anywhere in Ogun.
The command said claims of attacks on schools and communities, as well as reports that suspected bandits were arrested in Atan-Ota, were entirely unfounded and capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command stated that there had been no incidents of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, or any related security threat in communities including Ota, Ifo, Atan-Ota, Ijoko, Sango-Ota, Agbado, and surrounding areas.
According to the police, operatives were immediately deployed to all locations mentioned in the viral reports for verification, assessment, and confidence-building patrols aimed at reassuring residents and maintaining public order.
The statement added that the command’s School Protection Squad, working alongside Divisional Police Officers in the affected areas, carried out security assessments at schools named in the reports, including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School in the Ijoko axis.
The assessment, the police said, confirmed that the schools remained safe and fully operational, with academic activities proceeding without disruption.
“The exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure and fully operational. Students and staff completed their academic activities peacefully before the normal close of school,” the statement said.
The command expressed concern over the anxiety generated by the circulation of unverified information and urged members of the public to verify security-related reports before sharing them.
Police authorities further clarified that a recent operation carried out in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, involved the arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire and had no connection whatsoever with banditry or terrorism.
According to the command, the suspects comprised 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35 years who were found in an apartment following credible intelligence.
The individuals reportedly failed to produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening and claimed they had entered Nigeria for online business activities.
Following initial police procedures, they were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary administrative action in accordance with immigration laws.
The command stressed that no bandits, kidnappers, or terrorists were arrested during the operation and warned against attempts to link the foreign nationals to violent criminal activities.
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“Any attempt to associate the arrested foreign nationals with banditry or other violent crimes is entirely false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement noted.
The police urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring them that security personnel remain fully deployed across the state through intelligence-led operations, patrols, and other proactive measures.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property while encouraging citizens to rely on official channels for verified security information.
