The Ogun State Police Command has refuted a viral video claiming to show armed bandits operating in a forest within the state, describing the footage as false and misleading.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the clip did not originate from Ogun State or anywhere in Nigeria. He described it as “recycled footage deliberately misrepresented to incite fear and panic among the public.”
Police findings indicate that the video, which shows individuals cooking in a bush setting, was recorded in Kenya during an operation targeting cattle rustlers. Authorities explained that the footage was captured by a General Service Unit drone and first appeared online in 2022 before being recently recirculated with a false narrative.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, criticised the spread of unverified content, warning that it could erode public trust and create unnecessary anxiety.
“The video currently in circulation is entirely false and does not reflect the security reality in Ogun State. There is no intelligence or operational report indicating the presence of armed bandits or any such criminal elements in our forests or any part of the state,” he said.
He assured residents that the Command continues to safeguard lives and property through intelligence-led policing, strategic deployments and ongoing surveillance.
Ojajuni urged the public to ignore the video and avoid sharing unverified claims capable of disturbing public peace.
“We advise citizens to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate security updates. The spread of false and inciting content will not be tolerated,” he added.
The Command also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that community cooperation remains essential to maintaining peace and order. Citizens were advised to report suspicious activities through official emergency channels as efforts to sustain safety across the state continue.
