The Kwara State Police Command has debunked false and misleading information circulating in Oke-Oyi and adjoining communities, alleging the presence of bandits in the area.

The command said in a statement that about 9:15 a.m., it received reports of panic and commotion around Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi, following claims that suspected bandits had invaded the school premises. Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Oke-Oyi Division, promptly mobilised personnel to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents.

The command said preliminary findings revealed that the alarm emanated from a woman who reportedly rushed into the school premises claiming that bandits had arrived in the area. The unverified claim triggered panic among students and teachers, resulting in a temporary disruption of academic activities.

The command’s assessment of the situation confirmed that the report was entirely false and lacked any factual basis. There was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits, and no security breach within the school or anywhere in Oke-Oyi community or Kwara State.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of false security alerts that can create fear, panic, and public disorder. He noted that the dissemination of unverified information, particularly on sensitive security matters, undermines public confidence and may divert critical security resources from genuine emergencies.

The command has commenced efforts to identify the individual responsible for raising the false alarm. The person, upon identification, will be invited for questioning and made to face the full weight of the law in accordance with extant legal provisions relating to the spread of false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant but calm and to refrain from spreading rumours or unverified security information. Members of the public are encouraged to verify security-related information through appropriate channels and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest Police formation.