The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports of bandit attacks on schools and communities in the Ota and Ifo areas on Tuesday. In a statement issued by spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Command confirmed that no security breach, kidnapping, or terrorist incident occurred in the state. A viral message on WhatsApp at midday claimed armed men were sighted near several schools in the Ota axis, prompting parents to rush to pick up their children. This led to traffic congestion and confusion along Idiroko Road, Sango Roundabout, and Oju-Ore.
Babaseyi stated that the Command "unequivocally" denied any such incident at Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School (Ijoko axis), Fadunsin Area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and surrounding areas. Following the alert, police divisions in the affected locations were mobilized for on-the-spot assessments and visible patrols to prevent panic. The School Protection Squad, alongside Divisional Police Officers, conducted immediate checks at all named schools. All assessments confirmed that the schools were safe, secure, and fully operational.
"School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure," Babaseyi said. The Command expressed concern over the anxiety caused by the circulation of unverified information. It sympathized with members of the public who were alarmed and reassured them that there was no threat, as security presence remained strong across the affected areas. Residents were urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified reports, and refrain from actions that could fuel fear.
The police issued a detailed denial of a security incident that never occurred, yet had to deploy officers, patrol schools, and issue public reassurances. Parents abandoned work and flooded roads based on a WhatsApp message, exposing how fragile public calm can be in the face of unchecked rumors. The same level of urgency is rarely seen when real threats emerge in Ogun communities. This episode did not create fear—it revealed it.
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