The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that suspected Lukarawa terrorists have infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park, describing the claims as false and intended to cause panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said intelligence reports and security assessments available to the Command do not support the allegations circulating on social media.
The police spokesman said a viral video and accompanying voice note claiming that terrorists had entered parts of Oyo State were misleading and lacked any factual basis.
“The Oyo State Police Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading and entirely without factual basis,” Ayanlade stated.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the video being circulated is an old clip that has been deliberately recycled and falsely linked to the current security situation in the state.
Despite dismissing the claims, the Command said it has intensified security operations across vulnerable communities, particularly around Ogbomoso and border areas adjoining the Old Oyo National Park.
Ayanlade disclosed that intelligence and covert operatives have been strategically deployed to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and ensure rapid response to any security threat.
He added that the police are working closely with traditional rulers, hunters, vigilante groups, community leaders and other local security stakeholders to maintain peace and security.
The Command also said visibility policing, stop-and-search operations, confidence-building patrols and other intelligence-led security measures have been stepped up across the affected areas.
While urging residents to remain vigilant, the police encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and movements to security agencies.
The Command, however, expressed concern over the increasing spread of fake security alerts on social media, warning that false information could create unnecessary fear, disrupt economic activities and undermine public confidence.
“The dissemination of false security information is not only irresponsible and unethical but also constitutes a criminal offence punishable under extant laws,” the statement warned.
The police vowed to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible for originating or circulating false reports capable of threatening public peace and security.
Reassuring residents, the Command maintained that there is no credible intelligence indicating the presence of Lukarawa terrorists or any other terrorist group in Oyo State.
It therefore urged members of the public to disregard the viral reports and rely only on information released through official security channels.
The police also called for continued cooperation between residents and security agencies to sustain the peace and stability currently enjoyed across the state.
