The Oyo state police command has dismissed reports of a fresh bandit attack in Ogbomoso and surrounding communities.
Fear spread across parts of Ogbomoso and nearby areas, including Ajaawa Town, after rumours surfaced claiming armed bandits had invaded the area and attacked around Are-Ago High School.
Videos shared online showed students and traders running from schools and business areas over fears of another attack.
In a statement posted on X, the police said surveillance and patrol teams were immediately deployed to the area to verify the situation and maintain order.
According to the command, officers met with the school principal, Mrs Akanbi Ruth, who explained that the panic started after some students claimed they saw unfamiliar individuals behind the school fence.
“This naturally raised suspicion among some teachers and students, prompting immediate concern within the school environment,” the statement read.
Police investigations later revealed that the individuals were an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Kwara State Command and two civilians travelling in a Toyota Venza SUV.
The command said the visitors explained they had only come to celebrate the birthday of the female companion, while NSCDC authorities in Ogbomoso were contacted to confirm the officer’s identity.
The police added that an argument between some teachers and the visitors worsened the situation and triggered fear within the school.
“Consequently, some students began spreading unverified claims to neighbouring schools and surrounding communities, thereby escalating panic and tension across parts of Ogbomoso and Ajaawa Town before the actual facts of the incident were established,” the statement added.
The command said patrols and visibility policing were intensified in the affected areas while community stakeholders were engaged to calm residents and restore confidence.
Police also confirmed that normal academic, business and social activities have resumed in the communities.
The command warned against spreading fake news and unverified security reports capable of creating panic and disrupting public peace.
“The dissemination of false information, particularly on security-related matters, has the potential to create avoidable chaos, disrupt socio-economic activities, and negatively affect the collective security efforts being sustained across the state,” the statement added.
The police urged residents, especially youths and social media users, to avoid sharing unconfirmed reports, warning that anyone found deliberately spreading false information would face prosecution.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Ogbomoso following last Friday’s attack by gunmen on communities within the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire, where students and school staff were abducted.
The attack reportedly claimed the lives of assistant headmaster Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist, sparking nationwide outrage.