The police command in Oyo State says it has arrested two suspects for falsely raising an alarm that bandits invaded and killed six individuals in Lamini Community in Ido Local Government Area of the state.

A statement on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said a thorough assessment and on-the-ground verification by members of the police patrol and tactical teams established that the purported bandit invasion and killing of six individuals was false.

“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 said.

“The publication generated fear, panic, and apprehension among residents and other members of the public, while creating unnecessary tension within and around the affected area,” it stated.

The police spokesman said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the source and dissemination of the false information. 

He said investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the incriminating voice note to a man, identified as Pastor Amos Muyiwa.

“During interrogation, the suspect admitted to authoring and circulating the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the information,” the spokesman stated.

Mr Olayinka added that further investigations revealed that the false alarm primarily originated from a woman, Mulikat Bashiru, who raised the unfounded claim within the community. 

“Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any other persons involved in the creation or propagation of the false narrative,” he stated.

The command cautioned residents of the state against spreading false news, which can hamper peace, particularly at a time when security agencies, community leaders and law-abiding citizens are working collaboratively to enhance security in the state.

“Members of the public are advised to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing the same, as individuals found deliberately originating or disseminating false information capable of causing public disorder will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with extant laws,” the command noted.