By ThePreview Team

 

The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed a viral video alleging that about 300 Lukarawa terrorists were moving into Oyo State.

In a statement on Sunday, the state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, described the claim as false and deliberately fabricated to panic, and heightened tension among members of the public.

Mr Ayanlade said a comprehensive forensic analysis revealed that the voice overlay in the circulated video, purportedly credited to one Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, corresponds with earlier false information previously investigated and debunked by the command.

“The Oyo State Police Command, following a comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification, has confirmed that the viral video alleging the movement of about 300 Lukarawa terrorists into Oyo State is false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to cause fear, panic, and heightened tension among members of the public,” the statement said.

Mr Ayanlade said building on the discovery, further intelligence gathered from operatives deployed across border communities, supported by the command’s strengthened early warning and response mechanisms, found no evidence to support the claim contained in the video.

“In addition to these findings, a joint verification process maintained in collaboration with neighbouring Police Commands independently confirmed that the information is entirely unfounded.

“Investigations also established that the video currently in circulation was neither recorded in Nigeria nor is it a recent occurrence, further reinforcing the conclusion that the content was designed to mislead the public,” he said.

In light of these developments, the command warned individuals and groups against the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of undermining public peace and security.

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“Anyone found disseminating false information intended to incite panic or disrupt public order will be investigated and made to face the full weight of the law.

“As part of its ongoing mandate to maintain peace and public confidence, the Oyo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.”

The command said it will continue to deploy all lawful measures to preserve the security gains recorded in recent times and ensure that any person or group seeking to destabilise the peace enjoyed in the State is arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“Accordingly, members of the public are advised to rely only on verified and official channels for security-related information and to remain calm and law-abiding,” the statement said.