The Ogun State Police Command has refuted widespread reports alleging bandit attacks and invasions of schools and communities across parts of the state, clarifying that the recent arrest of 38 Ivorian nationals in Atan-Ota had no connection to banditry, kidnapping or terrorism.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, assuring residents that the security situation across the state remains stable despite alarming claims circulating on social media.
According to the police, investigations revealed that there had been no incidents of bandit attacks, kidnappings, terrorist activities or any other security breaches in communities such as Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, the Fadunsin area of Ijoko, as well as schools including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School.
Oluseyi said police operatives were immediately deployed to the affected locations after the reports surfaced online to verify the claims and calm public fears.
He added that the command’s School Protection Squad, working alongside divisional police officers, carried out security assessments at the schools mentioned in the reports and found no cause for concern.
“The assessment confirmed that all schools were safe, secure and operating normally. Academic activities proceeded without disruption, while students and staff completed their daily schedules peacefully before the close of school,” the statement noted.
The police spokesman expressed concern over the anxiety generated by what he described as unverified security reports, stressing that normal economic, educational and social activities were ongoing across the affected communities without any threat to lives or property.
Providing clarification on the operation conducted in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, Oluseyi explained that the exercise led to the arrest of 38 citizens of Côte d’Ivoire and was not linked to any bandit or terrorist activity as widely speculated online.
He stated that the suspects, made up of 19 men and 19 women between the ages of 25 and 35, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation at a residential apartment.
Preliminary screening reportedly showed that they could not provide valid travel or immigration documents.
According to him, the foreign nationals claimed they entered Nigeria to engage in online business activities.
Following preliminary investigations by the police, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further inquiries and necessary administrative action in line with immigration regulations.
“At no point during the operation were bandits, kidnappers or terrorists arrested.
Any attempt to portray the foreign nationals as members of criminal gangs or violent groups is false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents,” Oluseyi said.
The clarification comes amid growing security concerns in parts of the South-West following the recent abduction of dozens of students and teachers in Oyo State.
It also follows the arrest of a tailor, Qawiyu Oloyede, by the Ogun State Police Command last week for allegedly producing and circulating a fabricated video claiming that bandits had invaded Atan-Ota.
Police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that the video was deliberately staged to attract attention and increase his social media following on platforms such as TikTok.
The viral footage reportedly triggered panic among residents and fuelled fears of insecurity in parts of the state.
The command reiterated its warning against the circulation of unverified security information capable of causing public anxiety and disorder, urging residents to rely on official sources for security updates.
Oluseyi further assured residents that security personnel had been strategically deployed across the state through intensified patrols, intelligence-driven operations and other proactive measures aimed at safeguarding lives and property.