By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo State Police Command has clarified that calm has been restored in Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities following a false alarm that triggered rumours of a bandit attack around Are-Ago High School and Ajaawa.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command said it swiftly deployed patrol and surveillance teams to the affected areas to verify the report and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

According to the statement, officers met with the school principal, Mrs Ruth Akanbi, who explained that the panic started after students claimed they saw unfamiliar individuals behind the school fence, raising suspicion among teachers and students.

The fear reportedly spread quickly beyond the school, with unverified information circulating among neighbouring schools and communities.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals were an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ilorin, accompanied by two civilians in a Toyota Venza SUV.

They were said to have visited a female acquaintance to celebrate her birthday.

The statement added that an altercation involving some teachers further heightened suspicion before NSCDC authorities later confirmed the officer’s identity.

The police command stressed that there was no bandit attack or security breach and warned residents against spreading fake news capable of causing panic and disrupting public peace.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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