The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports, alleging that suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park axis.
The command described the claims as baseless and unsupported by intelligence reports, warning residents against spreading unverified security information capable of causing panic and undermining public confidence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said a viral video and accompanying voice note currently making the rounds on social media were being deliberately recycled and misrepresented to create fear among residents.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the video being circulated was not recent and had previously appeared online before being repackaged with false claims of terrorist infiltration into Oyo State.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to address and clarify a video and accompanying voice note currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lakurawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park,” the statement said.
“The Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis.”
The police said comprehensive intelligence assessments and security reports available to the command did not indicate the presence or movement of any terrorist group within the affected areas.
The command, however, noted that despite the falsity of the report, it had taken proactive measures to reinforce security around border communities and other vulnerable locations within the Ogbomoso axis.
According to the statement, intelligence and covert operatives have been strategically deployed to strengthen surveillance and improve early warning mechanisms across the area.
The police added that the operatives were working closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, local vigilante groups, hunters and other grassroots security networks to enhance intelligence gathering and ensure prompt responses to any emerging threats.
“As part of efforts to reassure residents and maintain public safety, the Command has significantly increased visibility policing, confidence-building patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across Ogbomoso, the Old Oyo National Park axis and adjoining border communities,” the statement added.
The development comes amid growing public concerns over insecurity in parts of Nigeria following reports of activities by armed groups and terrorist elements in several northern and north-central states.
In recent years, security agencies have intensified surveillance across border communities and forest corridors due to fears that criminal groups could exploit remote areas to establish operational bases.
The Lakurawa group has in recent months featured in security discussions following reports linking the armed faction to activities in parts of northwestern Nigeria and neighbouring countries within the Sahel region.
However, the Oyo State Police Command insisted there was currently no credible intelligence suggesting the group’s presence within the state.
The command expressed concern over what it described as the rising trend of fake news, misinformation and unverified security alerts on social media platforms.
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