The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed 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 also clarified circumstances surrounding the arrest of 38 foreign nationals in Atan-Ota, stressing that those apprehended were neither bandits nor terrorists but individuals handed over to immigration authorities for further investigation over documentation issues.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Command described the viral reports as false, misleading, and capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents.
According to the statement, claims suggesting that armed bandits attacked schools and communities in areas including Atan-Ota, Ijoko, Sango-Ota, Agbado, and Ifo were entirely unfounded.
“The Command states unequivocally 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 adjoining communities,” the statement said.
The police said that following the circulation of the reports, operatives were immediately deployed to all affected locations to verify the claims and reassure residents through sustained patrols and security assessments.
As part of the response, the Command’s School Protection Squad, working alongside Divisional Police Officers in the affected areas, carried out security inspections of schools mentioned in the reports.
The assessment covered institutions including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School in the Ijoko axis.
According to the police, the inspections confirmed that all schools were safe and fully operational, with academic activities proceeding without disruption.
“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 Command stated.
The police expressed concern over the anxiety generated by the unverified reports and appealed to members of the public to exercise caution before sharing security-related information.
“The Command deeply sympathizes with members of the public who may have been alarmed by these false reports and reassures them that there is no cause for fear or apprehension, as all affected areas remain calm and under effective security coverage.”
The statement further noted that coordinated assessments across the affected communities revealed that normal academic, business, and social activities were continuing peacefully, with no threat to lives or property.
Addressing reports linking the arrest of foreign nationals in Atan-Ota to banditry, the Command said investigations showed otherwise.
Police disclosed that a recent intelligence-led operation in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, resulted in the arrest of 38 nationals of Côte d’Ivoire, comprising 19 men and 19 women aged between 25 and 35 years.
According to the Command, the individuals were discovered in an apartment and were unable to present valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.
The suspects reportedly claimed they entered Nigeria for online business activities.
“The individuals were found in an apartment following credible intelligence and were unable to produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening. The suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria for online business activities.”
The police added that after preliminary investigations, the foreign nationals were transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with immigration regulations.
The Command emphasized that no bandits, kidnappers, or terrorists were arrested during the operation.
“At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers, or terrorists arrested, nor was any security-related incident recorded in connection with the apprehension. Any attempt to link the arrested foreign nationals to banditry or any violent criminal activity is entirely false, misleading, and capable of creating unnecessary panic and disturbing public peace.” It said.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Ogun State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear.
The Command also advised citizens to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing it and assured residents that officers remain fully deployed across the state through intelligence-led operations, patrols, and other proactive security measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
Residents were encouraged to report emergencies and credible security information through the Command’s designated emergency lines and the Gateway Shield toll-free platform.