The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons over the circulation of false information alleging that bandits invaded Lamini Community in Ido Local Government Area of the state and killed six residents.
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The command said the fake report, which was circulated through WhatsApp voice notes and other social media platforms, caused panic and tension among residents of the community and neighbouring areas.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the police immediately deployed patrol and tactical teams to Lamini Community after receiving the report in order to verify the claim and reassure residents.
The command said investigations later revealed that no such attack occurred in the community.
“The Command’s attention was drawn to a widely circulated voice note on various WhatsApp platforms and other social media channels claiming that armed bandits had attacked Lamini Community and killed six residents,” the statement read.
“Following a thorough assessment and on-the-ground verification, it was conclusively established that the purported bandit invasion and killing of six persons never occurred.”
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, subsequently directed the State Intelligence Department to launch a full investigation into the source of the false information.
According to the police, intelligence and forensic investigations traced the voice note to one Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was later arrested.
The suspect reportedly admitted during interrogation that he authored and circulated the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the information.
Further investigations, according to the police, revealed that the false claim originated from one Mulikat Bashiru, who allegedly raised the alarm within the community.
“She was thereafter identified, traced, and arrested in connection with the matter,” the statement added.
The police said both suspects were cooperating with investigators as efforts continued to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other persons involved in spreading the false narrative.
The command warned residents against the deliberate spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, describing such acts as threats to public peace and national security.
According to the police, false information is capable of creating fear, undermining public confidence, disrupting socio-economic activities and diverting security attention from genuine emergencies.
“Misinformation and disinformation do not merely mislead the public; they constitute a direct attack on our collective resolve to build a secure and peaceful society,” the statement added.
The command urged residents to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing, warning that anyone found spreading false information capable of causing public disorder would be prosecuted in line with the law.
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