The Oyo State Police Command has described the viral video alleging the movement of about 300 Lakurawa terrorists into Oyo State as false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to cause fear, panic, and heightened tension among members of the public.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka in a statement issued Sunday said following a comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification, findings revealed that the voice overlay in the circulated video, purportedly credited to one Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, corresponds with earlier false information previously investigated and debunked by the Command.
He noted: “Building on this discovery, further intelligence gathered from operatives deployed across border communities, supported by the Command’s strengthened early warning and response mechanisms, found no evidence to support the claim contained in the video.
“In addition to these findings, a joint verification process maintained in collaboration with neighbouring Police Commands independently confirmed that the information is entirely unfounded. “Investigations also established that the video currently in circulation was neither recorded in Nigeria nor is it a recent occurrence, further reinforcing the conclusion that the content was designed to mislead the public.”
In light of these developments, the Command warned individuals and groups against the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of undermining public peace and security.
It said anyone found disseminating false information intended to incite panic or disrupt public order will be investigated and made to face the full weight of the law.
As part of its ongoing mandate to maintain peace and public confidence, the Oyo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, remained resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the State.
It said the Command would continue to deploy all lawful measures to preserve the security gains recorded in recent times and ensure that any person or group seeking to destabilise the peace enjoyed in the State is arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Accordingly, members of the public are advised to rely only on verified and official channels for security-related information and to remain calm and law-abiding.