Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - The Oyo State police command have arrested two suspects in connection with the deliberate dissemination of false information alleging that bandits invaded Lamini Community in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State and killed six persons.
The Command's attention was drawn to a widely circulated
voice note on various WhatsApp platforms and other social media channels
claiming that armed bandits had attacked Lamini Community and k!lled six
residents. The publication generated fear, panic, and apprehension among
residents and other members of the public, while creating unnecessary tension
within and around the affected area.
Upon receipt of the information, the Command immediately
mobilized patrol and tactical teams to Lamini Community and its environs to
verify the claim, reassure residents, and douse the palpable tension generated
by the alarming report.
Following a thorough assessment and on-the-ground
verification, it was conclusively established that the purported bandit
invasion and k!lling of six persons never occurred. Consequently, the
Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga,
directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State
Intelligence Department (SID) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into
the origin and dissemination of the false information. The ensuing
intelligence-driven investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the
incriminating voice note to Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was subsequently
arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to authoring and
circulating the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the
information. Further investigations by the command revealed that the false
alarm originated from one Mulikat Bashiru, who had raised the unfounded claim
within the community. She was thereafter identified, traced, and arrested in
connection with the matter.
Confirming the incident, the command's spokesperson, DSP
Ayanlade Olayinka, said both suspects are currently cooperating with
investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances
surrounding the incident and identify any other persons involved in the
creation or propagation of the false narrative.
‘’The Oyo
State Police Command views the deliberate spread of false information, fake
news, misinformation, and disinformation as a serious threat to public order,
national security, and peaceful coexistence. Such actions are capable of
triggering panic, undermining public confidence, disrupting socio-economic
activities, and diverting critical security resources away from genuine
emergencies.
Misinformation
and disinformation do not merely mislead the public; they constitute a direct
attack on our collective resolve to build a secure and peaceful society. At a
time when security agencies, community leaders, and law-abiding citizens are
working collaboratively to sustain the prevailing security gains across Oyo
State, the deliberate circulation of false narratives serves only to create
unnecessary fear, weaken public trust, and create opportunities for criminal
elements to exploit public anxiety and confusion.
The Command
therefore urges residents to exercise restraint, responsibility, and vigilance
in the use of social media and other communication platforms. Members of the
public are advised to verify information through credible and official sources
before sharing same, as individuals found deliberately originating or
disseminating false information capable of causing public disorder will be
investigated and prosecuted in accordance with extant laws''
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