KEY POINTS

• Oyo Police arrested a pastor and a woman for allegedly spreading false claims of a bandit attack in Ido Local Government Area.
• The rumour falsely claimed that six people were killed, causing panic among residents and prompting a security response.
• Police warned that those who deliberately spread fake news and misinformation will face prosecution.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two individuals, including a pastor, for allegedly spreading false information about a supposed bandit attack in Ido Local Government Area of the state.

According to the police, the suspects circulated claims that armed bandits had invaded Lamini community and killed six residents, a report that quickly spread through WhatsApp voice notes and other social media platforms, creating fear and anxiety among members of the public.

The police said the alarming message triggered widespread concern among residents, prompting the command to immediately deploy tactical and operational teams to the community to assess the situation and prevent any potential security threat.

However, after conducting extensive field assessments and investigations, security operatives reportedly discovered that the alleged attack never took place.

Police spokesperson, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said authorities carried out on-the-ground verification and found no evidence to support the claims of a bandit invasion or the killing of six persons.

He explained that the report was entirely false and had no connection to any actual security incident in the area.

Investigation Traces Source of Voice Note

Following the discovery, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, directed a full-scale investigation to identify those responsible for originating and circulating the false information.

The command said intelligence gathering, supported by forensic analysis, traced the widely circulated voice note to Amos Muyiwa, a pastor.

During interrogation, the Pastor reportedly admitted to recording and sharing the message without confirming whether the information was accurate.

Further investigations led detectives to another suspect, identified as Mulikat Bashiru, whom police believe was the original source of the false claim. She was subsequently tracked down and arrested.

The police disclosed that both suspects are currently assisting investigators as efforts continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities are also investigating whether other individuals played a role in creating, disseminating, or amplifying the false narrative.

The command noted that the case remains under investigation and that further actions would be taken based on the findings.

The Oyo State Police Command described the deliberate spread of false information as a serious threat to public peace, security, and social stability.

According to the police, fake news and misinformation can create unnecessary panic, undermine public confidence, disrupt economic activities, and divert security personnel and resources from genuine emergencies.

The command urged residents to exercise caution when sharing information online and advised members of the public to verify reports through credible and official channels before forwarding them to others.