Ogun Police Clarify Arrest of 38 Ivorians, Dismiss Banditry Claims
Command says foreign nationals arrested in Atan-Ota were not bandits or terrorists as schools and communities remain safe.
Ogun Police Clarify Arrest of 38 Ivorians, Dismiss Banditry Claims
The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports of bandit attacks and community invasions in parts of the state, clarifying that the recent arrest of 38 Ivorians in Atan-Ota was unrelated to banditry, kidnapping or terrorism.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, described social media claims of attacks on schools and communities in Ota, Ifo and surrounding areas as false and misleading.
According to the command, Ogun State remains calm, safe and secure, with no record of bandit attacks, kidnappings, terrorist activities or security breaches in the locations mentioned in the viral reports.
Oluseyi explained that police operatives were immediately deployed to the affected communities following the circulation of the claims to verify the situation and reassure residents.
He added that the command’s School Protection Squad, alongside divisional police officers, conducted security assessments in schools referenced in the reports, including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School.
The police said the assessment confirmed that all schools were operating normally, with academic activities continuing without disruption.
The command also addressed reports linking a recent operation in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, to banditry.
According to Oluseyi, the operation led to the arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire, comprising 19 men and 19 women aged between 25 and 35 years.
He stated that the suspects were discovered in an apartment during an intelligence-led operation and were unable to provide valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.
The police spokesperson said the suspects claimed they entered Nigeria for online business activities and were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate action in line with immigration laws.
“At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers or terrorists arrested,” Oluseyi said.
He warned that linking the arrested foreign nationals to violent crimes was entirely false and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents.
The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the South-West following recent kidnappings in neighbouring Oyo State.
The police also recalled the recent arrest of a tailor, Qawiyu Oloyede, who allegedly produced and circulated a fake video claiming bandits had invaded Atan-Ota.
According to the command, the suspect admitted during interrogation that the video was staged to attract followers on social media platforms.
The police urged residents to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing it and warned against the spread of unverified reports capable of creating fear and public disorder.
The command further assured residents that officers have been fully deployed across the state through intelligence-led operations, patrols and other proactive security measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
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