The Ogun State Police Command has assured the public that the entire state remains safe, calm, and secure.

The command also debunked a series of false and misleading reports currently circulating on social media alleging bandit attacks on schools and communities within the Ota and Ifo areas of Ogun State, and claims that suspected bandits were arrested in Atan-Ota.

According to the command,  there has been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity, or any form of security breach anywhere in Ogun State, including Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School (Ijoko area), Fadunsin area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and other adjoining communities.

Its Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi in a statement explained that following the circulation of the false reports, police operatives from the respective divisions were immediately mobilised to all affected locations for on-the-spot assessment, verification, and sustained confidence-building patrols aimed at preventing panic and ensuring continued public reassurance.

He added that in addition, the Command’s School Protection Squad, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of the affected areas, conducted immediate security assessments of all referenced schools, including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School.

The exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure, and fully operational. School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure.

The Command notes with concern the needless tension and anxiety caused among residents by the circulation of unverified security information.

The Command deeply sympathises with the public who may have been alarmed by these false reports and reassures them that there is no cause for fear or apprehension, as all affected areas remain calm and under effective security coverage.

Findings from coordinated assessments across the affected locations confirmed that normal academic, commercial, and social activities were ongoing peacefully, with no threat to lives or property anywhere in the state.

The Command further clarifies that the recent operation conducted in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, led to the arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire, comprising 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35 years.

The individuals were found in an apartment following credible intelligence and were unable to produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.

Babaseyi said the suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria for online business activities, adding that upon conclusion of preliminary police procedures, they were duly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with extant immigration laws and protocols.

He added that no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers, or terrorists arrested, nor was any security-related incident recorded in connection with the apprehension.

Any attempt to link the arrested foreign nationals to banditry or any violent criminal activity is entirely false, misleading, and capable of creating unnecessary panic and disturbing public peace.

The command urged the public to remain calm, avoid the spread of unverified information, and desist from actions capable of heightening unnecessary fear or tension within communities.