The Ogun State Police Command has cleared the air over a widely circulated video claiming armed bandits were spotted inside a forest in the state, describing the footage as false and misleading.
In an official statement, the command said its findings showed that the video did not originate from Ogun State or anywhere in Nigeria, urging residents to ignore the claims.
Authorities explained that the clip had been taken from an entirely different context, noting that it was originally recorded in Kenya during an operation involving cattle rustlers.
Further checks revealed that the video first appeared online as far back as 2022 and was recently reshared with a new, incorrect narrative to create panic.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, stressed that there is no credible intelligence supporting claims of bandit activity in any forest within the state.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, warned that spreading such unverified content could cause unnecessary fear and weaken public trust in security agencies.
He assured residents that security operations across the state remain active, with ongoing surveillance and intelligence-driven strategies to maintain safety.
The command urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources and avoid forwarding content that could mislead others.
Police also cautioned that those found deliberately spreading false information may face consequences, as authorities move to curb misinformation.
Residents were encouraged to remain calm and continue their daily activities without fear, as officials insist the state remains secure.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over how quickly misleading content can spread online, especially on sensitive security issues.
Authorities say they will continue monitoring the situation while reinforcing public awareness against fake news and panic-driven narratives.