Oyo CP dismisses state of emergency rumours, warns against fake news
Police Commissioner in Ekiti State, Joseph Eribo, has beefed up security at the borders to check influx of bandits.

The CP, who resumed duties last week, made the disclosure yesterday during an interactive session with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.

He said he plans to set up joint task force to include the Agro Rangers, Fulani herders, Amotekun Corps and other sister security agencies.

Aribo clarified that the joint task force would not only checkmate the influx of bandits, but also curb farmers/herders crisis in the state.

He said: “As Nigerians, there is freedom of movement but however, when one exceeds the move, you lose the protection of the law, and will be prosecuted for the crime committed.

“We have our men at the boundary with other adjoining states to check influx of criminals into the state, and whoever is caught will not be spared, and the law will take its course.

“But for good citizen, as Nigerians, you are free to live freely in any part of the country without fear or hindrance.

“The state government has helped so much. I came here to know that so much agencies have been set up to checkmate these criminals from infiltrating into Ekiti State. There is Agro Rangers, Amotekun Corps and the Marshalls.”

“We are going to add a committee that will encompass security agencies, like a joint task force, including the civilians, that is the Fulanis and other ethnic groups, to checkmate not just the influx of the criminals, but also the herders and farmers clash.

“All these agencies are to work to guarantee internal security. We will welcome them on board, and work closely in synergy with them.”

MEANWHILE, the e Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, has dismissed reports claiming a state of emergency had been declared in the state.

Sonubi gave the dismissal yesterday, in a statement issued and made available to journalists  by the force’s Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in Ibadan.

The command cautioned the public against spreading false and unverified information that could undermine the state’s relative peace and stability.

The commissioner said: “The state Police command wishes to emphatically refute rumours and misleading information making the rounds, particularly on social media, about the death of about 50 persons under mysterious circumstances, and a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency as false and a figment of the author’s imagination.“

“The command further warns members of the public against the spread of fake and unverified news capable of disrupting the enviable relative tranquility in the state.

“All law-abiding residents of the state are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear or molestation, as the command will not renege on its statutory duties of protecting all lives and property.“I

“In cases of emergency, the command can always be reached through these numbers: Oyo State call Response Centre Toll Free Line: 615, command control room lines: 08081768614, 09054133071 & 09061299291.”