Police Arrest Two for Spreading False Bandit Attack Claim in Oyo Community

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly circulating false information that bandits invaded Lamini Community in Ido Local Government Area and killed six persons.

The claim, which spread through a viral voice note on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, caused panic among residents before it was discovered to be untrue.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the command immediately deployed patrol and tactical teams to Lamini Community and its environs to verify the claim and reassure residents. Following on-the-ground verification, it was established that no such invasion or killing of six persons ever occurred.

The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered a full investigation into the source of the voice note. Intelligence-driven investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the recording to Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was subsequently arrested.

The suspect reportedly admitted during interrogation that he circulated the message without verifying its authenticity. Investigators also linked the origin of the claim to one Mulikat Bashiru, who was said to have first raised the alarm within the community before it was widely shared.

The police command warned that the deliberate spread of misinformation poses a serious threat to public order, as it can trigger panic, undermine public confidence, disrupt socio-economic activities, and divert critical security resources away from genuine emergencies. It added that such false narratives create unnecessary fear and provide opportunities for criminal elements to exploit public anxiety.

Residents were urged to verify information from credible sources before sharing, and the police warned that anyone found culpable of spreading false information capable of causing public disorder will be prosecuted.