The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a pastor and a woman for allegedly spreading false information about a purported bandit attack in Lamini Community, Ido Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa and Mulikat Bashiru, are currently in police custody as investigations continue into the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Adewale Osifeso, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday through the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly circulated misleading reports claiming that armed bandits had invaded Lamini Community and killed six residents, a claim that triggered panic among residents and prompted an immediate security response.
The statement noted that upon receiving the distress report, the command swiftly deployed patrol and tactical teams to the community to assess the situation and restore public confidence.
However, investigations revealed that no such attack had taken place and that the reported killings never occurred.
The police explained that an intelligence-led probe, supported by forensic analysis, traced a widely circulated voice note containing the false claim to Pastor Muyiwa, who was subsequently arrested.
Further findings reportedly linked the origin of the allegation to Bashiru, who was said to have first raised the unfounded report within the community before it gained wider circulation.
She was later tracked down and apprehended by investigators.
The command condemned the dissemination of false security alerts, warning that such actions could create unnecessary fear, mislead security agencies and undermine public safety efforts.
It urged residents to verify information before sharing it and to channel security concerns through appropriate authorities to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The police also reiterated their commitment to prosecuting individuals found culpable of circulating false reports capable of causing public unrest.