The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, has dismissed claims of bandits operating in Lusada community, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. The alert stemmed from two voice notes circulated on WhatsApp, one in Yoruba by a man claiming to be an Islamic cleric, stating that bandits had moved into the area. A second voice note, in English, relayed the warning to a group, referencing a meeting between the alleged bandits and Seriki Hausa, while noting opposition from other Hausa residents. The messages triggered anxiety among community members.
In response, police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that Ojajuni swiftly deployed Agbara Area Commander ACP Folashade Tanaruno to lead a visible patrol across Lusada and surrounding areas. The operation included direct engagement with residents, security sensitization, and the sharing of Divisional Police Officers' contact details with community leaders. Coordinated convoy patrols were also carried out across divisions under the Area Command. According to the statement, the action restored calm and reinforced police presence. Ojajuni reiterated that the command remains vigilant and urged the public to report credible information promptly.
A viral voice note nearly turned Lusada into a panic zone, but the real story is how easily misinformation spreads when official channels stay reactive. CP Bode Ojajuni's rapid deployment of ACP Folashade Tanaruno shows the police understand optics, but one patrol can't fix the deeper issue of eroding trust. For residents, the scare underscores a fragile sense of security—where a single audio clip carries more weight than standing police assurance. This incident won't change how Nigerians respond to the next rumour, especially when facts arrive after the fear.
