The Kogi State Police Command has refuted rumors of bandit invasion in Zango, Crusher, and Felele communities in Lokoja.

In a statement on Thursday, the Kogi Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye Aya, assured residents that there is no truth to rumors of bandit invasion, adding that the story is “fake news” meant to create unnecessary tension in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has warned those peddling rumors of bandit invasion to desist from spreading false alarms, causing unnecessary fears and panic among the good people of the state,” Aya said.

Speaking further, the police spokesperson warned that anyone found guilty of spreading false alarms will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Aya added that CP Kankarofi has reaffirmed the deployment of tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force and counter-terrorism units, to strategic locations in Kogi State to ensure safety.

He also urged residents to go about their daily activities as usual and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

“Security is a shared responsibility, and everyone is asked to work together to keep the state safe. Report any suspicious activities to: 07038329084,” Aya stated.

Earlier this week, all the 38 persons recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku community of the Ekiti Local Government of Kwara State regained their freedom.

The state government, through the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this last Sunday.

The statement said the release followed many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives.

Ajakaye said: “The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees.”

He recalled that the president had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” he added.

He, however, conveyed the governor’s appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Nigeria Police, which he said have graciously deployed four new tactical teams on the directive of the President.